CHAPTER XII. 

 PATHOLOGY OF THE MAMMARY GLAND. 



Is the breast a gland of internal secretion? We cannot 

 yet say for sure: the internal secretion of the mammary 

 gland has not yet been proved, by histological or physio- 

 logical facts. 



A certain number of clinical observations seem to prove 

 that there is a synergy between the mammary gland and 

 the thyroid on one side, and with the genital glands 

 on the other. 



One fact has for a long time attracted attention and 

 that is the atrophy of the breasts in Basedow's disease. It 

 is true that this atrophy coincides with that of the genital 

 glands. Inversely, however, hypertrophy of the mammary 

 gland has been observed in myxedema (Apert, Sainton 

 and Fernet). This relationship between the thyroid 

 and the mammary gland has not yet been explained. 



Another curious fact is that reported by Djemil-Pacha 

 of a man, having a bilateral mammary hypertrophy and in 

 which the removal of the breasts was followed by all the 

 symptoms of post operative myxedema. 



The relationship between the breasts and the genital 

 organs is better known. An increase in the size of the 

 breasts is noticed at three periods, in which the breasts 

 are physiologically active; at birth, at puberty and 

 during pregnancy. In the new born during the first few 

 days of existence the mammary gland secretes: this, 



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