Moral Culture 125 



Much of our physical, mental, and even moral 

 health depends on the proper functioning of the 

 endocrine glands, — sometimes known as the 

 glands of internal secretion. Many of the 

 chemical reactions so necessary to bodily health 

 are produced or controlled by these glands. 

 The thyroids, adrenals, pituitary bodies and 

 other similar glands produce hormones (mes- 

 sengers) that are carried by the bloodstream 

 to all parts of the body and produce marked 

 physical and mental effects. Some biologists 

 believe that the endocrines have a large influence 

 upon the heredity and development of man. It 

 is known that certain forms of feeble-minded- 

 ness are produced by a lack of some internal 

 secretion, and in one variety, — the Cretin, — ^by 

 giving thyi'oid by mouth, the body and mind are 

 both re-invigorated. Some even believe that 

 certain criminals are really gland-victims. On 

 the other hand, strong emotion will quickly 

 affect these secretions. Sudden fear will have 

 a marked effect upon the thyroid and adrenal 

 glands, and courage, as shown in the excitement 

 of battle, calls forth the secretion of the 



