THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 223 



that ovarian extract causes a vaso dilatation and an in- 

 crease in the volume of the thyroid, the proof of a synergy 

 of the thyroid and ovary which we find clinically. 



Finally, the ovarian extracts are very toxic, much more 

 so than the extracts of other glands. This toxicity is 

 due to the corpus luteum (Lambert). Some physiologists 

 believe that the ovary has an antitoxic action, the gland 

 fixing and transforming the toxins brought to it by the 

 blood stream. 



Loisel does not believe that we can dissociate these 

 various ovarian functions. The toxins elaborated by the 

 ovary are changed into products, some of which are elim- 

 inated with each ovule and help in the sexual reproduction, 

 and the others are re-absorbed by the organisms as internal 

 secretions and act on menstruation, fecundation or gesta- 

 tion, some on the organism as a whole and cause the 

 appearance of the sexual characteristics and rut. 



I. SYNDROMES OF OVARIAN INSUFFICIENCY. 



They may follow: 



1. Ovariotomy. 



%. Normal menopause. 



3. Congenital or acquired ovarian insufficiency. 



I. POST OPERATIVE OVARIAN INSUFFICIENCY. 



The changes in the organism, following the removal of 

 the ovaries, vary with the age of the patient. 



(A) Precocious removal 2 . The observations of these 

 cases are very few. Following the removal of the ovaries, 

 the external genitalia and the uterus atrophy. Menstru- 

 ation does not appear. There is an absence of develop- 



2 Early castration before puberty is well known to veterinarians who perform it on 

 certain animals (sows and cows). The removal of the ovaries causes an atrophy of the 

 uterus; it prevents the appearance of rut. Castrated animals grow fat very rapidly. 



