96 GLANDS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



is a more or less pronounced disturbance of the 

 development of the genitalia, with faulty develop- 

 ment of secondary sex characteristics. It is prob- 

 able that in such cases we have to do with a de- 

 velopmental disturbance beginning primarily in 

 the sexual glands, and indeed the interstitial 

 glands, as functional disturbances of the generative 

 glands alone do not lead to eunuchoidism." 



The last statement receives support from experi- 

 ments already described, wherein the reproductive 

 elements were suppressed, yet the gland consist- 

 ing of the interstitial cells thrived, and the several 

 sex characteristics were retained; also where a 

 tumor arises that interferes with the supply of the 

 reproductive elements, yet does not attack the inter- 

 stitial cells, we may get a similar result. On the 

 other hand, where the interstitial cells themselves 

 are affected, the clinical picture obtained represents 

 that of castration ; which in itself suggests that the 

 primary results of castration are probably due to 

 the absence of a hormone which is normally elabo- 

 rated by the interstitial cells. 



Further confirmation of the views just advanced 

 is obtained from X-ray studies. These rays have 

 a selective action in the sense that they destroy 

 the cells of the testes, yet not those belonging to 

 the interstitial gland. If the testicles of a roebuck 

 are exposed to X-rays, the antlers do not undergo 

 any alteration; here the generative cells proper 



