THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 197 



hypertrophies. During the course of pregnancy, symp- 

 toms of acromegalia are sometimes observed ; thickening of 

 the soft parts of the nose, of the lips ; increase in the volume 

 of the fingers, which go back to normal after delivery. 

 Certain cases of glycosuria during pregnancy can be the 

 only indicative signs of a hyperf unction of the gland. 



3. AT THE MENOPAUSE sometimes similar symptoms 

 are noticed. Acromegalia has been noticed after the 

 removal of the ovaries (Goldstein), after the sudden 

 stoppage of the menses (Briquet). Certain cases of adi- 

 posity of the menopause are due without a doubt to pitu- 

 itary insufficiency, just as much as to ovarian insufficiency. 



PITUITARY SYNDROMES IN INFECTIONS. 



Renon and A. Delille believe that certain infections, 

 such as, typhoid, pneumonia, etc., in which the arterial 

 blood pressure is decreased and the pulse accelerated, are 

 due to a pituitary hypofunction. Pituitary organo ther- 

 apy when used in the infectious diseases increases the 

 arterial pressure, decreases the tachycardia, increases 

 diuresis and causes the re-appearance of sleep and appetite. 

 It is well to remember that these same diseases cause 

 similar symptoms of cardio vascular asthenia by means of 

 adrenal insufficiency. 



TREATMENT OF PITUITARY SYNDROMES. 



Three types of treatment have been used in the various 

 pituitary syndromes. 



1. ORGANO THERAPY. The preparations used are 

 either the total extract of both lobes, or the extract of the 

 posterior lobe, which is the only one that has any physio- 

 logical action, or are aqueous extracts known under the 

 name of pituitrin. The average doses vary from 0.10 to 

 0.40 centigrams daily (the last mentioned dose correspond- 



