212 THE DUCTLESS GLANDS 



physiological effects upon dogs, cats, and rabbits of feeding 

 with the adrenal bodies of the sheep, and the administration 

 of large doses of extracts (in some cases made from medulla 

 only) failed to produce any noticeable rise of blood -pressure 

 in the human subject. But Ley ton states that adrenal 

 extract, although when administered by the mouth it ordi- 

 narily fails to produce elevation of blood-pressure, will bring 

 about this effect in cases of Addison's disease. However this 

 may be, the most certain method by which to obtain any 

 definite pharmacodynamical effects is that of subcutaneous, 

 intramuscular, or intravenous injection. The intravenous 

 method should be employed in all cases of extreme emergency, 

 such as ether-poisoning and heart failure in diphtheria. 



Miller urges that adrenin ought to be employed with great 

 care in all patients with suspected arterial degeneration, and 

 in elderly people. The danger of causing glycosuria in the 

 human subject does not appear to be great. 



K. Theories as to the Function or Functions of the 

 Adrenal Bodies 



Our scientific knowledge of the adrenal bodies may be said 

 to date from the year 1 855, when Addison published his famous 

 work. The known facts about the organs in question are, 

 very briefly stated, as follows : Disease of the glands gives rise 

 to a characteristic train of symptoms, among which are pig- 

 mentation of the skin and extreme muscular weakness. Extir- 

 pation of both adrenal bodies is a very dangerous operation, 

 and, according to the majority of investigators, invariably leads 

 to death. It is the cortex and not the medulla which is essential 

 to life. Extracts of the medullary portion of the body are 

 toxic when administered to an animal subcutaneously, in- 

 tramuscularly, or intravenously, among the symptoms being 

 glycosuria and degeneration of the arteries. Intravenous 

 injection produces a powerful effect upon the heart and blood- 

 vessels, and is chiefly manifested by a very marked rise of 

 the arterial blood-pressure. The general pharmacodynamical 

 effects are strikingly similar to those brought about by a 

 stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system ; these physio- 

 logical or pharmacological effects are obtained only by admin- 

 istering extracts of the medulla, the cortex being inactive. 



Comparative anatomy and comparative physiology reveal 



