CHAPTER XII 



THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE DUCTLESS GLANDS 



The work of Cannon of Harvard, Crile of West- 

 ern Reserve University, and the war experiences 

 of many doctors, more particularly in cases of 

 "shell-shock," have emphasized the possibly close 

 connection between certain phases of nervous dis- 

 order and the derangement of the ductless glands. 

 Let us in the first instance review very briefly some 

 of the glandular diseases that are accompanied by 

 nervous effects, and we can then take up the work 

 of Cannon and others in some detail. 



Diseases of the thyroid come first in order. We 

 have already seen, in discussing this subject, how 

 a hyperthyroidism, as exemplified in exophthalmic 

 goiter, not only increases the metabolic rate, but 

 affects the emotions. Irritability, hasty speech, at- 

 tacks of laughing and crying, and a general rest- 

 lessness, all this accompanied by a tremor, and a 

 rapid heart beat, point to a mental as well as a 

 physical attack. In fact, the close connection be- 

 tween hyperthyroidism and the mental state of the 

 patient is such that an interesting discussion has 



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