38 ENDOCRINE GLANDS 



cases in which the equilibrium between these two systems 

 is normal there are some (among which are the vagotonics 

 we have previously referred to) which show a hypertonia 

 of the parasympathetic which is discussed by Dr. Harvier 

 in this volume. They have a slow pulse, myosis, sunken 

 eyes, are pale, have abundant and easy perspiration, 

 hypersecretion of saliva, bronchial and intestinal secre- 

 tions. Pilocarpin exaggerates these symptoms. The 

 oculo cardiac reflex indicates a hypertonia of the vegeta- 

 tive vagus system and numerous other symptoms also 

 indicate this. Others have hypertonia of the sympathetic 

 which manifests itself by protrusion of the eyeballs, 

 mydriasis, warm skin, tachycardia, decrease in secretions, 

 slowing down of digestion, contraction of the sphinxters 

 resulting in constipation. Secondarily, the suprarenal 

 and thyroid secretions are increased and cause various 

 phenomena. These individuals react to certain pharma- 

 cological substances, notably suprarenalin, which some- 

 times brings out certain confuse symptoms. 



These two syndromes are, however, not always dis- 

 sociated clinically. We can have a resulting syndrome of 

 hyperactivity of the two systems, with neutralization in 

 antagonistic territories corresponding to what Hess and 

 Eppinger have described under the name of vagotonia. 

 It is better defined, as suggested by Dr. Guillaume, under 

 the name of neurotonia (meaning hyperneurotonia). This 

 neurotonia syndrome groups together a number of sick 

 people, nervous system invalids, which complain of gas- 

 tric disorders, cardiac disturbances, and various symptoms 

 of neurasthenia. The investigation of the various reflex 

 reactions is a great help to prove the existence of this 

 syndrome. The oculo cardiac reflex is positive; atropin, 

 pilocarpin and suprarenalin cause suggestive symptoms in 



