EMERGENCY FUHCTION OF SUPRARENAL MEDULLA 185 



the central nervous system, and, at critical moments, the skeletal muscles 

 as well (Cannon(fr), 1915; Hoskins, Gunning and Berry) ; the increased 

 cardiac vigor; the quick abolition of the effects of muscular fatigue 

 (Gruber(d)), the mobilizing of energy-giving sugar in the circulation 

 (Cannon, Shohl and Wright) -these are the changes which occur when 

 fear or rage or pain causes the suprarenal glands to pour forth an excessive 

 secretion. These changes in the body are, each one of them, directly serv- 

 iceable in making the organism more efficient in the struggle which fear 

 or rage or pain may involve; for fear and rage are organic preparations 

 for action, and pain is the most powerful known stimulus to supreme 

 exertion. The organism which with the co-operation of increased supra- 

 renal secretion can best muster its energies, can best call forth sugar to 

 supply the laboring muscles, can best lessen fatigue; and can best send 

 blood to the parts essential in the run or the fight for life, is most likely 

 to survive. Such, it is submitted, is the function of the suprarenal medulla 

 at times of great emergency. 



