THE SUPRARENAL SYSTEM 175 



derived from the cortex, concerning the activity of which we as 

 yet know nothing. Moreover, therapeutic measures, especially 

 those aiming at substitution in the case of suprarenal suppression 

 in man, have been attempted almost exclusively with preparations 

 derived from the whole suprarenal. The fresh raw organ, the 

 organ dried and powdered, suprarenal tabloids, and the watery 

 extract of suprarenal, have all been employed in this connection. 

 Until something is know of the physiological activity of the 

 cortex, the empirical method of treatment with the whole organ 

 must be regarded as superior to treatment by means of the active 

 principle, adrenalin. 



The following experiments serve to illustrate the present 

 position. Oliver and Shafer injected the watery extract of the 

 suprarenal of calves into dogs, guinea-pigs and cats without pro- 

 ducing toxic symptoms. In guinea-pigs and dogs, large quanti- 

 ties of the extract were followed by transient disturbances of the 

 pulse and respiration, as well as by a fall in temperature. The 

 subcutaneous injection of large doses into rabbits resulted, after 

 a few hours and in some instances after a few days, in a fall in 

 temperature followed by death. In frogs there were symptoms 

 of central paralysis. 



According to Cybulski the toxic action of suprarenal extract 

 is seen in rabbits only after intravenous injection ; it affects the 

 central nervous system. 



According to Gluzinski, watery glycerine extracts of the 

 suprarenals of cattle, calves, pigs, dogs and rabbits produce a high 

 degree of intoxication in normal animals. Intravenous injection 

 is followed by paralysis and loss of sensibility in the hinder, and 

 convulsions in the fore, extremities ; there is acceleration of the 

 respiration and enlargement of the pupils, dyspnoea and wide- 

 spread paralysis, ending in death. Subcutaneous injection is less 

 deadly; the animals sicken and the temperature becomes sub- 

 normal, but unless the doses are too large they recover. 



Dubois found that suprarenal extract derived from rats was 

 very deadly. When injected in even quite small doses, it pro- 

 duces lassitude, paresis, and in many cases paralytic symptoms 

 ending in death. The degree of the toxicity of the extract varies ; 

 it is increased if the animals are fed upon decomposing food, and 

 after experimental infection. Suprarenal extract derived from 

 rats kept in captivity is less toxic than that obtained from free- 

 living animals. The medullary substance contains a larger pro- 

 portion of toxin, than the cortex. The amount of the extract 

 tolerated varies with individuals, and muscular fatigue previous 

 to injection renders the animals more sensitive to its toxic action. 

 According to Dubois, suprarenal extract contains at least two 

 substances, one of which causes general vaso-dilation and is in- 

 soluble in 90 per cent, alcohol ; while the other, which is soluble 

 in alcohol, produces widespread paralysis, reduced cardiac 

 activity, and asphyxia ending in death. 



