298 INTERNAL SECRETION 



putrid liquids contain alanin, phenylalanin, and probably other 

 products of the decomposition of albumin, and by these the 

 colorimetric iodine test for adrenalin is intensified. Bayer be- 

 lieves that the increase in the amount of adrenalin which Abelous, 

 Souli6 and Toujan describe, is apparent only. 



Thus the only experimental evidence which has been ad- 

 vanced up to the present, in favour of a functional inter- 

 dependence between cortex and medulla, is proved to be un- 

 reliable. 



Poll writes as follows concerning the hypothesis of a unity 

 of function on the part of the suprarenals : " Whether right or 

 wrong, it is undoubtedly true that this hypothesis brings into 

 line in what is, at first sight, a most remarkable manner, a 

 number of anatomical and physiological facts which are other- 

 wise obscure." The morphology of the homogeneous suprarenal, 

 and its vascularization especially the intimate vascular association 

 between cortex and medulla in mammals undoubtedly suggest 

 an important functional relationship between the two parts. 



The remarkably rich vascularization of the suprarenal, and 

 the peculiar relationship which subsists between the parenchyma 

 cells and those of the surrounding capillaries and there is no 

 doubt that the capillaries act as ducts for the conveyance of the 

 medullary secretion have already been described. The circu- 

 lation throughout the entire organ is remarkable and unique, and 

 demands a short description. 



The older scientists, of whom Ecker (1844) was the first, 

 noticed that, in certain classes of animals, the suprarenal possesses 

 a portal system of its own. 



Ecker's descriptions and drawings of the suprarenals and 

 their vessels in the adder (Coluber natrix) show that these organs 

 lie close to the venas renales revehentes, on the inner surface of 

 the ovary in the female, and on the inner surface of the testicle 

 and vas deferens in the male ; that they are furnished with venous 

 vessels (venas suprarenals advehentes) formed by the combina- 

 tion of two or three intercosto-spinal veins, which extend to the 

 external surface of the organs where they form arcade-like anas- 

 tomoses. From these proceed the minute branches which, to- 

 gether with the hair-like arterial vessels, form the capillary system 

 of the suprarenals. Numerous fine venous branches are given 

 off by the capillary network, and these combine to form larger 

 veins leading away from the organ (venas suprarenales revehentes) 

 and opening either into the vena renalis revehens sinistra, or 

 directly into the vena cava posterior. According to Ecker, then, 

 Ophidians possess, in addition to hepatic and renal portal veins, 

 a third or suprarenal portal system, the roots of which are situated 

 in the wall of the body and the spinal cord, while its branches are 

 distributed through the suprarenals. Ecker also states that the 

 vascular conditions in Chelonians and tailed Batrachians to some 

 extent resemble those in Ophidians. 



