174 THE SEX COMPLEX 



others look upon the effect produced as specific for 

 reasons which need not be discussed here. 

 indirect Behind these direct effects of the internal secretions 



internal in regard to the vasomotor system are the indirect 

 <m Mood* results brought about through the general metabolism. 

 pressure. For instance, the calcium metabolism is directly in- 

 fluenced by most of the internal secretions. Some, such 

 as infundibulin and suprarenin, induce the retention 

 of calcium salts in the blood and tissues — that is to say, 

 they are anabolic in respect of these salts ; "while others, 

 such as the thyroid and ovarian secretions, are katabolic. 

 Consequently, as lime salts themselves have a pressor 

 action, an indirect effect of this nature is produced on 

 the vasomotor system by those secretions which lead to 

 the retention of calcium compounds in the blood, quite 

 apart from their own specific pressor actions. And the 

 converse is equally true of those secretions which pro- 

 mote the excretion of the lime salts. 

 Character of When insufficiency of the ovarian secretion is pro- 

 disturbance?, duced, either naturally or artificially, all the other hor- 

 monopoietic organs of the body are also affected, and as 

 a result vasomotor symptoms are commonly seen. The 

 vascular disturbances that occur are either visceral or 

 cutaneous. The former are most frequent in connexion 

 with the heart, the digestive tract and the brain ; while 

 to the latter are due the flushing and sweating of which 

 the patient so often complains. These symptoms can 

 usually be effectually treated by replacing secretions 

 that are deficient, or by antagonizing those which are 

 excessive ; or, more empirically, by maintaining the 

 blood-pressure at a slightly higher level than is normal 

 by means of calcium salts, alone or in conjunction with 

 pituitary extract. 

 Metabolic General Metabolic Disturbances. — These are frequently 



seen, but the various biochemical derangements have 

 not been properly studied. For example, although 

 attention is always drawn to the adiposity which occurs 

 in at least 50 per cent, of all women at the menopause, 

 very few investigations have been carried out to define 



disturbances. 



