DUCTLESS GLANDS AND NERVOUS SYSTEM 



the extract from which reduces the fundamental exchange and the func- 

 tional increase of which brings about, as is known, an abnormal growth 

 energy in the bones and soft parts. Further I might here include the inter- 

 stitial glands, as they influence the ossification of the epiphysial junctures, 

 the growth of the larynx, 1 etc. 



I might express the opinion that the generative glands on the contrary 

 belong to the catabolic group, as in the inhibitions of growth that occur after 

 removal of the interstitial glands as, for example, by X-ray, only the genera- 

 tive glands are damaged; furthermore, we shall see in the chapter on the 

 sexual glands that in the premenstrual period in women all life processes are 

 increased when the follicle ripens; it is probable that in man, too, tonic ex- 

 citability-increasing influences proceed from the generative apparatus. 



Thymus gland and epiphysis probably belong to the anabolic group. 



If this classification, which I regard as speculative, is confirmed by further 

 investigation, it would lead to a result that appears to me to be very sig- 

 nificant. As is known, the ductless glands are for the most part arranged in 

 the organs in pairs. It would then be seen that the pairs regularly belong to 

 different groups. This is well shown in the accompanying diagram. 



Relation between the Ductless Glandular System and the Nervous System 



I finally consider the relations between the ductless glandular system and the 

 central nervous system. The most recent years have furnished an abundance 

 of observations and ideas just in this direction, but these observations and 

 ideas are still very unclear and contradictory; so that a concise consideration 

 of this subject is hardly possible without strong subjective coloring. 



I shall not consider more intimately here the manifold reciprocal influ- 

 ences that are already furnished by the spatial relationship between many of 

 the ductless glands and the nervous system (for example pressure action on 



1 Novak has quoted just the sexual glands as an example to show that we are not yet prepared 

 for a division into an acceleratory and retardative group. He says: If after the removal of a 

 sexual gland we cause an increase in growth and at the same time find a decrease in beard forma- 

 tion and inhibition in the growth of the larynx, is then the gland growth-inhibiting or growth- 

 increasing? 



If, however, we regard the increased growth only as a result of the delayed epiphysial closure, 

 we find that all effects of the removal of the interstitial glands in youth are growth-inhibiting. 



