64 



THE SEX-COMPLEX 



Extirpation The effects of castration on the pineal have already 



experiments. b een mentioned. The only other evidence in connexion 



with the genital functions of this interesting organ is 



that which has been obtained clinically, and with this 



I shall deal later. 



Effects of in- 

 jections of 

 pineal ex- 

 tracts. 



Effects of 

 feeding with 

 pineal ex- 

 tracts. 



PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF THE PINEAL 



The immediate effects of intravenous injections of an 

 extract of the pineal are not pronounced. A slight 

 pressor action on the uterus has been observed by 

 McCord 1 , but it is very doubtful whether this is specific. 



Feeding experiments. — Dana and Berkeley 2 and 

 McCord 3 have noted increased rapidity of growth and 

 development in young animals and birds that have been 

 fed on pineal substance, associated with early sexual 

 maturity. McCord concludes from his experiments that 

 " the same precocity of development usually attributed 

 to pineal deficiency (hypopinealism) was obtained in 

 animals by supplying an increased amount of pineal 

 substance by feeding or injecting pineal preparations ". 



1 McCord, C. P., Trans. Amer. Gynecol. Soc, 1917, vol. xlii, p. 41. 



2 Dana, C. L., and W. N. Berkeley, Med. Bee, 1913, vol. lxxxiii, 

 p. 835. 



3 McCord, C. P., Journ. Amer. Med. Assoc, 1914, vol. lxiii, p. 232 ; 

 idem, 1915, vol. lxv, p. 517. 



