360 



THE DUCTLESS GLANDS 



dishing adopts the theory of W. 8. Halsted that an existing 

 " physiological deficit " is one of the essentials for a successful 

 organo -transplantation. In support of this, Crowe, Gushing 

 and Homans observed that the life of animals, after a total 

 pituitary extirpation, could be prolonged by the immediate 

 reimplantation into the cerebral cortex of the excised gland, 

 which lived for a month. 



In the absence of such a previously established deficit, the 

 transplanted gland becomes absorbed in a short time. In 

 Schafer's experiments the only distinct effect noticed was with 

 the posterior lobe, which caused a temporary increase in the 

 flow of urine. As the implanted gland soon became absorbed, 

 this result is probably to be looked upon simply as the effect of 

 the administration of an equivalent amount of pituitary extract. 

 It is possible, however, that the transplanted gland may have 

 functioned for a short time. 



In Exner's experiments on rats, transplantations were made 

 of glands taken from young animals, and there was a temporary 

 increase in growth and weight. But it is possible, in this case 

 as well, to assume that the effect was comparable to a long- 

 continued administration of an equivalent amount of extract. 1 

 It is pointed out by Gushing that the results of these various 

 transplantation experiments suggest some therapeutic possi- 

 bilities for this method, as the slow absorption of the secretion 

 may be an effective means of administering the active principle. 

 Gushing appears to have obtained some clinical evidence that, 

 when a patient is actually suffering from a physiological 

 deficiency, fragments of a transplanted pituitary body may 

 survive and remain permanently active. 



H. Stimulation of the Pituitary Body in situ. 



Cyon has studied the functions of the gland by the method 

 of direct excitation. He exposed the hypophysis by trephining 

 the base of the skull beneath the sella turcica. Then he 

 exerted light pressure upon the gland by means of a small pad 

 of cotton. He observed immediately a considerable variation 



1 It must, however, be noted that the effects produced, viz., increase in 

 growth and weight, are in a contrary sense to those observed by the majority of 

 recent experimenters, administering the gland by the mouth. But the effect 

 of giving whole gland would possibly be different from that of giving anterior 

 lobe only. 



