264 



ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY 



Clinical notes. Disease of the pancreas is accompanied by the appearance 

 of an excessive amount of sugar in the urine, or diabetes mellitus of a severe 

 character. 



Removal of pancreas, if complete, causes the same result which, however, 

 may be prevented by transplantation of a piece of pancreas tissue under the 

 skin. 



THE SPLEEN 



It is believed (but not proven) that the cells of the splenic pulp 

 contain an enzyme which aids in the digestion of protein foods, 

 through its action upon the pancreas, by furnishing hormones to 

 stimulate the production of protein-digesting enzymes in the pan- 

 creatic juice. 



THE ADRENAL BODIES 



The 'adrenals (suprarenal capsules), are two small gland-like 

 bodies resting on the upper extremities of the kidneys, hence their 

 name. They are triangular in shape, yellowish in color, and have 

 many blood-vessels and nerves. The superficial portion of the 

 adrenal body is the cortex or cortical portion. 

 It is this part which is in some way, neces- 

 sary to life. 



The interior portion, enclosed by the 

 cortex, is the medulla, or medullary por- 

 tion; this is one of the chroma fin tissues, 

 and it is thought that the internal secretion 

 is here formed. The adrenal bodies are 

 important organs, as it is found that when 

 they are removed death follows soon, but 

 their use is not yet fully understood. It 

 has, however, been determined that the 

 internal secretion, epinephrin, acts through 

 sympathetic nerves on plain muscle fibers 

 and the heart; its effect is to cause contrac- 

 tion of small arteries, thus increasing blood pressure, at the same 

 time slowing the rate of the heart beat. Because of this, epinephrin 

 or adrenalin is an important agent in checking hemorrhage by 

 local application, as in operations upon the throat or nose. 



A solution of epinephrin or adrenalin given by hypodermic in- 

 jection is used to relax the spasm of bronchiole muscle fiber in 



FIG. 169. THE AD- 

 BEN AL BODY is SEEN 



RESTING UPON THE KlD- 



NEY. (Potter.} 



