143 GLANDS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



excellent example of a case of pineal disease. The 

 patient, a boy of eight, had suffered from recurrent 

 headaches since his sixth year. In his eighth year 

 his headaches had become more severe and he had 

 suffered from vomiting attacks. "His vision was 

 not so good as it had been, and upon advice he be- 

 gan to wear glasses. During his eighth year he 

 grew rapidly until he had reached the height of five 

 feet three inches. He was as large as a boy of 14. 

 In addition to his increase in stature his pubic hair 

 made its appearance and reached full development. 

 His external genitalia became as large as those of 

 an adult and his sexual functions were fully estab- 

 lished. His voice underwent transition and be- 

 came much deepened. During this time, however, 

 he suffered from repeated headaches and his vision 

 progressively failed. 



"Upon examination by an oculist he was told 

 that he had progressive optic atrophy. He was 

 admitted to the hospital because of his severe head- 

 aches and vomiting. At this time his vision was 

 practically gone. Shortly after admittance to the 

 hospital he was seized with a convulsion which 

 lasted for half an hour. After this convulsion he 

 never recovered consciousness but lapsed into a 

 somnolent condition in which he remained for sev- 

 eral weeks, at the end of which time he had a sec- 

 ond convulsion and died a few days later. 



"Upon examination at the time of his entrance 



