826 PETEK BASSOE 



Its structure^ was described as essentially normal, but Gushing, who later 

 examined the sections, rightly pointed out microscopic evidence of adenoma 

 formation, indicating functional over activity. 7 The splanchnomegaly in 

 this case was extreme: the liver weighed 4,000 grams, the pancreas 275 

 grams, the adrenals 42.5 grams, the kidneys 525 grams, the heart 465 

 grams, and the thyroid 112 grams. The stomach, which.was very volumi- 

 nous, with its mucosa thrown into huge wrinkles, weighed 655 grams. 

 The small intestine measured 20 meters in length, the large intestine 4 



Fig. 13. Anterior view of the brain of \Vilkins, the Giant. (After Bassoe, J. 

 Nerv. & Ment. Dis.) 



meters. The brain, in spite of the relatively reduced capacity of the 

 cranial cavity, weighed 1,540 grams, and the medulla and cord measured 

 60 cm. in length. 



Should this case be classed as acromegalic gigantism ? Strictly speak- 

 ing not, if we adhere to the original, purely morphological definition of 

 acromegaly as a growth disorder characterized by enlargements of end 

 segments. That the giant growth in this case was caused by hyperfunc- 

 tion of the hypophysis, however, seems certain. 



A third case of this kind, also with necropsy, is that of Caselli, a man, 

 193 cm. tall and 30 years old at death. His genital functions were not 



footnote. 



7 See Cushing's monograph, "The Pituitary Body and Its Disorders," page 170, 



r*^.4-^ 



