THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ENDOCBIN ORGANS 1Y5 



inhibition of pancreatic secretion (Pemberton and Sweet) ; and a glyco- 

 genolytic action (Gushing (d)). 



It will he seen that the action on the blood vessels, of the kidney in the 

 production of diuresis, and the inhibition of the pancreatic secretion are 

 symptoms which may be produced by stimulation of the sympathetic 

 nerves ; the remaining symptoms, on the other hand, are those of parasym- 

 pathetic stimulation. 



Bell showed that an isolated uterus, suspended in Ringer's solution, 

 contracted on the addition of infundibulin, proving that the action, at 

 least for that organ, is peripheral. And this has been maintained by others. 

 Kepinow thinks that the action of infundibulin extract is to sensitize the 

 point of attack of epinephrin ; but this can hardly be reconciled with the 

 statement that the action of this extract is upon the parasympathetics, in- 

 stead of the sympathetics. Cow (&) also has found that pituitary extracts 

 sensitize uterine tissue to epinephrin. 



I recently had an opportunity to observe a postadolescent clinical case, 

 in which there was evidence of a slight increase in pituitary activity. The 

 most marked symptoms were polyuria, up to 6,500 cubic centimeters per 

 day, hyperacidity, intestinal pain of a severe degree, and an increase in 

 metabolic rate, resulting in a loss of weight which was difficult to restore, 

 even on rest and excessive diet. 



The Pancreas and the Autonomic System 



Nervous Control of the Pancreas. Embryologically the pancreas be- 

 longs to the enteral system, being derived from the intestine. Therefore, 

 it carries with it the innervation of the intestine. Its glands of external 

 secretion are stimulated to action by the parasympathetics (vagus) and 

 inhibited by the sympathetics. Aside from the pancreatic juice, the pan- 

 creas is recognized as producing an internal secretion. Whether or not 

 stimulation of the vagus increases this secretion too, we have no direct 

 evidence. This secretion is generally believed to be produced by the 

 islands of Langerhans. It is of particular interest, because of its influence 

 upon the glycogenic functions of the body. 



Puncture Glycosuria. The relation of the pancreatic hormone to gly- 

 cogenesis must be discussed along with the nervous control of this function. 

 Claude Bernard determined by experiment that a puncture (piqure) in a 

 certain place in the floor of the fourth ventricle causes glycosuria. This 

 experiment definitely determined that there is a nervous control of the gly- 

 cogenolytic function. It has more recently been shown that the nerve 

 control of glycogenolysis rests in the sympathetic nerves, and that im- 

 pulses which cause glycosuria travel over the splanchnics. Puncture 

 glycosuria could be accounted for as being due to injury to the sympathetic 





