50 ENDOCRINE THERAPEUTICS 



mentioned above ; the indirect results are the 

 absence of stimulation of the adrenals, etc., 

 and the hyperactivity of the pancreas due to 

 removal of the inhibitory agent. It is believed 

 that the nervous system is the agent by which 

 the interactivities of these glands are affected. 

 That group which promotes metabolism has a 

 sympathetic innervation, and stimulates the 

 sympathetic nerves, at the same time exercising 

 an inhibitory effect on the autonomous nerves. 

 The group which retards metabolism possesses an 

 autonomous innervation, and while stimulating 

 them inhibits the sympathetic. The thyroid 

 possesses a double function, and is furnished with 

 both classes of nerves ; it is thus able to affect 

 both divisions of the nervous system." This 

 special development and possession of the thyroid 

 makes it the centre of the endocrine system, and 

 both from the physiological and the clinical 

 point of view must always be borne in mind. 

 Since the above quotation was written it has 

 become a received opinion that the intercommuni- 

 cation of the glands and the interactivity is carried 

 on as much by the hormonic and chalonic powers 

 of the internal secretions as by the nerves. 



It will perhaps be found that the emergency 

 calls are transmitted by the telegraph and the 



