DUCTLESS GLANDS 369 



are lacking or where they do not produce enough 

 secretion. 



The spleen. At the left of the stomach is a reddish 

 brown organ, the spleen, held in position by folds of 

 the mesentery. It is of considerable importance, but 

 its exact functions are not known. Like the lymph 

 glands, it produces white blood corpuscles. Some 

 authorities think that it is also used to disintegrate the 

 dead red blood corpuscles. 



The pancreas. Not only does the pancreas furnish 

 digestive juices, but it also produces other important 

 substances which enter the blood. These substances 

 seem to regulate the amount of sugar which is present 

 in the blood. If the blood contains too much sugar, it 

 is carried to the kidneys and results in the disease 

 known as diabetes. In many cases, this is supposed to 

 result from the failure of the pancreas to do its work 

 properly. 



Questions 



1. What is meant by internal secretions? 



2. Name the chief ductless glands. 



3. Discuss the function of each of these glands. 



4. What is the cause of goiter? Explain why 

 goiters should not be neglected. 



5. Define cretinism. 



