70 ENDOCRINE THERAPEUTICS 



therefore absurd. But whatsoever be our judg- 

 ment on this or any such particular effect, the com- 

 mon denunciation of treating symptoms, which 

 sounds very philosophical, is surely but a parrot 

 phrase. Why should we not treat a symptom ? 

 If in granular kidney, by mere pressure reduction 

 the grievous headache be abated, or charmed 

 away, we have so far, at any rate, a substantial 

 gain. 



" In renal diseases it is generally agreed that on 

 the whole, with due caution, to lower pressure is 

 helpful. Moreover, if by mitigation of his suffer- 

 ing, the patient gets a chance of picking up in 

 many other ways, are we not more than justified 

 in our interference, narrow as it may seem ? 

 We never know what interference may cut a link 

 in a vicious circle. If we cannot stop the crack in 

 the water-pipe, we need not throw away the mop. 



" The warning should run, not against the treat- 

 ment of a mere symptom, but lest, while giving 

 our attention to the symptom and snatching at 

 an immediate advantage, we lose our grip of the 

 case as a whole." 



As has often been observed, failure of a single 

 gland is sooner or later associated with failure 

 of others, and unless this is steadily borne in 

 mind our measures for relief may fail. 



