THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 51 



part played by the liver and pancreas in the production of 

 diabetes has been established by Gilbert. No doubt we 

 must, as suggested by Gley, Camus and Rousey, make 

 certain reservations on the significance of the results of 

 therapeutic investigations by these extracts. It would 

 however, be unfair not to believe that they have at least 

 some value. 



Simple or complex organo therapy has lately given re- 

 markable results, and each day we see new indications 

 arising. It, however, necessitates a definite technique 

 and careful watching. The many accidents resulting from 

 excessive or irrational thyroid medication is well known; 

 in the same manner suprarenal medication is not without 

 its drawbacks. The various methods of administering 

 these extracts either by mouth or subcutaneously, deserve 

 a certain amount of study, but Dr. Carrion has covered 

 this subject very carefully so that it is not necessary to 

 go into details. All that I will say, is that at the present 

 time, dried extracts are far superior to fresh ones, except 

 in certain exceptional cases. We must remember that 

 the preparation of these products is very delicate and for 

 tli is reason only reliable products should be employed. 



The mode of administration, according to the extract 

 employed, has a considerable importance. Oral adminis- 

 I rat ion is the simplest method, and in prescribing thyroid 

 or ovarian extract, no other way need be used. The con- 

 st ant results obtained by this method of administration 

 1ms been proved in many cases. The report of Murray on 

 a case of myxedema who was kept in good health for 28 

 years by the ingest ion of thyroid extract by mouth shows 

 this well. It is, however, evident that other products are 

 less active when administered in this manner; certain 

 imslro intestinal juices seem to affect them, for instance, 

 extracts are affected by the gastric juice. 



