18 INTERNAL SECRETION 



only controlling influence to be reckoned with in explaining 

 the bodily functions, and especially is this the case with the 

 co-ordination and interactions of many of the chief functions 

 of the body. It is even possible that the nervous system itself 

 may be controlled by chemical stimuli. 



Leyton has performed some experiments to test the hor- 

 mone theory of the causation of new growths. The work 

 of Starling and Claypon upon the internal secretion of the 

 foetus in relation to the mammary gland suggested that 

 perversion of internal secretion might have some relation 

 to the formation of new growths. Such a hypothesis 

 presupposes the existence within the organism of separate 

 substances which stimulate the normal growth and repair 

 of the several organs and tissues, and that each substance 

 is secreted either by its own special organ, or by another organ 

 or tissue. Under the former supposition, so the authors 

 imagine, malignant growth of such tissue would be very 

 unlikely. Under the latter the result might be brought about 

 either by hypersecretion of the substance or by insufficient 

 absorption thereof, whereby in either case the still absorbing 

 tissues would receive an excess. Given an excess of hormone 

 in the organism, together with a lesion or irritation of the tissue 

 complementary to the hormone, unlimited growth might 

 result. It is further conceivable that a real hypersecretion 

 acting on otherwise normal tissue might lead to the formation 

 of a quickly increasing growth, while the relative hypersecretion 

 resulting from diminished absorption from an atrophied senile 

 membrane might account for slow-growing tumours. 



The author inoculated previously refractory rats with 

 pieces of glandular organs from known susceptible animals, 

 along with sarcoma. The results in two experiments seemed 

 to show that parotid gland is able to assist sarcoma growth 

 in rats otherwise insusceptible. He further excised the 

 parotid along with inoculation with sarcoma to see if the 

 growth of the tumour was inhibited. The results were not 

 very definite. 



Ehrlich thinks that there may be substances circulating in 

 the organ i> in which may stimulate the body cells to resist the 

 athreptie influence of cancer cells. Askanazy believes that 

 certain hvperpla>ias in the genital organs subsequently to the 

 formation of tumours in the ovary, testis, or pineal body, may 



