THE PINEAL GLAND 95 



THE PINEAL GLAND 



Biedl says : " The data in our possession point 

 to the conclusion that the pineal gland is an 

 internal secretory organ which influences meta- 

 bolism, though the details of its function are at 

 present not ascertained. Still more important is 

 the fact that during the period of its complete 

 development, that is to say, until the seventh 

 year, this organ exercises a definite and apparently 

 inhibitory influence upon the development of the 

 sexual glands, and it is possible that it has a 

 secondary effect upon mental development. The 

 destruction of the pineal gland at this stage of 

 existence leads to mental and physical precocity." 

 If we can establish a diagnosis in such cases, 

 pineal therapy should prove useful and carry the 

 patient over the years of normal pineal influence. 



PITUITARY 



(The following description is mostly from 

 Bainbridge.) 



The pituitary body lies in the sella turcica, and 

 is connected with the floor of the third ventricle 

 by a hollow stalk. It consists of two lobes 

 differing from each other in origin and in struc- 

 ture. The anterior lobe is glandular in structure. 



