THE ADRENAL BODIES 157 



beneath the skin of the back. In addition to some changes in 

 the elements of the capsule, Poll records that the cells of the 

 zona glomerulosa and the outer part of the zona fasciculata 

 became changed into large polyhedral, at times pigmented, 

 structures, which degenerated with the formation of fat 

 droplets and pigment granules. The cells of the inner part of 

 the zona fasciculata, the zona reticularis, and the medulla 

 degenerate within the first week, forming a necrotic focus in the 

 centre of the adrenal. This is absorbed in the course of the 

 second week, and in connection with the process of absorption 

 giant cells arise from the altered cells of the outer part of the 

 gland. These finally disappear. Into the centre of the adrenal, 

 at the place where the suprarenal vein leaves the gland, a band 

 of connective tissue grows and develops, and remains per- 

 manently. In the course of the third week heaps of cells 

 occur in the capsule, which resemble cortical cells, but possess 

 only small compact cell bodies. These heaps fuse together, 

 and grow into large masses having the form of a segment of a 

 sphere. In these masses the small cells show signs of an 

 arrangement like that of the zona fasciculata, In the interior, 

 progressing outwards, begins a transformation of these cells 

 into clear, finely reticular elements in all respects like cortical 

 cells. Intramuscular implantation gives about twice as many 

 successful results as subcutaneous. Favourable results were 

 obtained only with young, small, and middle-aged animals. 



It seems, then, that in all cases where the adrenals are 

 transplanted the medulla disappears. This fact is, perhaps, 

 not without significance as bearing upon the morphological 

 relationship existing between the two constituents of the gland. 

 The results of transplantation experiments are also of con- 

 siderable importance in view of any future attempts to replace 

 the adrenal function either in the human subject in Addison's 

 disease or experimentally upon animals after extirpation of 

 the organ. 1 



1 Numerous experiments upon transplantation of different organs and 

 tissues have shown that as a general rule the transplanted portions degenerate 

 in a few months, even if they have made connection with surrounding tissues, 

 and have undergone some temporary growth. Among the exceptions are 

 portions of skin, thyroids, adrenals, and the notable case of Ribbert, who 

 succeeded in grafting the rudiment of the mammary gland of a young guinea- 

 pig upon the outside of the ear. The gland not only developed but ultimately 

 secreted. 



