944 CHARLES E. DE M. SAJOUS 



Studies of the effects of these purer substances of endocrin origin are 

 particularly valuable for the advance of knowledge. Studies of the effects 

 of the administration of single glands as a whole are also valuable in the 

 same direction. Possibly, too, combinations of substances derived from 

 different glands may advance knowledge, but it will easily be understood 

 that the formation of sound judgment regarding therapeutic influence must 

 be much more difficult in such polytherapy than when a single gland sub- 

 stance or a pure chemical substance is used by itself. 



8. The General Practitioner and the Future of 

 Endocrinology 



From what I have said it will be clear, first, that the general prac- 

 titioner can and will profit by every advance that is made in the study 

 of the endocrin glands and their functions, and, secondly, that the gen- 

 eral practitioner can himself do much to favor the further development 

 of eiidocrmological knowledge. Though he himself is primarily in- 

 terested in clinical studies, he will realize the benefits that must accrue 

 to the clinic from laboratory and experimental studies. He will there- 

 fore do all that he can to encourage original investigation, the publica- 

 tion of original researches, and the distribution of text-books and treatises 

 that, from time to time, bring together in organized form the knowledge 

 that has accumulated. It is to be hoped, too, that more general prac- 

 titioners will associate themselves with societies for the study of internal 

 secretion and will subscribe to journals that bear upon the subject. 



Endocrinology, it would seem, has already attained to a development 

 that justifies the establishment in our medical schools of professorships and 

 departments, or at least sub-departments, that deal with this particular 

 domain. The establishment of such chairs and the endowment of re- 

 searches in such departments or sub-departments would go far toward 

 quickly advancing knowledge in this field. 



If the general practitioner will use his influence in the several di- 

 rections mentioned, and will himself take a personal interest in ac- 

 curate diagnosis and carefully controlled therapy of the diseases of en- 

 docrin origin, he will give help that is much needed at this time. 



