130 ENDOCRINE GLANDS 



The adrenals have two main functions: 



1. AN ANTITOXIC ACTION. The adrenal secretion 

 has a specific neutralizing effect on certain poisons, the 

 most important of which are those resulting from muscular 

 effort and fatigue. When the glands are destroyed or 

 deficient, the most marked symptoms are muscular 

 fatigue and listlessness, which is very characteristic. 

 Asthenia, which we will study in man is one of the most 

 important symptoms of adrenal insufficiency. These 

 glands also neutralize certain endogenous poisons. 

 They become hypertrophic during pregnancy (Guiesse) 

 for pregnancy can be considered as a state of 

 auto intoxication. 1 



This antitoxic action can exert itself also, to a certain 

 extent, on exogenous poisons; this, however, has not been 

 definitely proved experimentally. 



This antitoxic action belongs to the cells of the cortex, 

 which are rich in lipoids, particularly cholesterin. 



2. AN ANGIOTONIC ACTION. This normally presides 

 to the maintenance of the blood pressure and is obtained 

 from the medullary cells or chromaffin cells, which 

 secrete suprarenalin. 



The various morbid factors act on these types of cells 

 causing a disturbance of their function and resulting in 

 two great adrenal pathological syndromes : 



1. A syndrome of adrenal insufficiency. 



2. A syndrome of hyperf unction of the adrenals. 



1 Obstetricians should note this. The administration of corpus luteum in the 

 vomiting of pregnancy has not had notably good results. 



