METABOLISM, NUTRITION AND DIETETICS 567 



intermedia. When the pituitary body is completely removed, 

 death speedily and invariably ensues, in dogs, on the average 

 within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. The much longer 

 periods of survival occasionally witnessed are due to failure to 

 remove some small portion of the hypophyseal epithelium. On 

 the day after the operation the animals may be able to walk 

 about, to eat and drink, and may show an interest in their sur- 

 roundings. The temperature, pulse, and respiration at this time 

 may be normal. Soon, however, they become lethargic, then 

 comatose, with characteristically incurved spine, slow respira- 

 tion, with long-drawn inspiration, a feeble pulse, perfectly limp 

 muscles, and often a subnormal temperature. This deep coma 

 passes into death, with no perceptible transition, and without a 

 struggle (Paulesco, Gushing). The ablation of a part of the 



FIG. 191. ACTION OF EXTRACT OF HYPOPHYSEAL LOBE OF PITUITARY ON THE 

 BLOOD-PRESSURE (W. W. HAMBURGER). 



The signal line at the top shows the time and length of injection of the saline 

 extract into the blood. Time trace (at bottom) shows second intervals. The 

 figure is to be read from left to right. 



cortical substance of the anterior (epithelial) lobe of the hypo- 

 physis is compatible with permanent survival, and gives rise 

 to no symptom of disorder. The same is true when only the 

 posterior lobe is removed. On the other hand, complete removal 

 of the anterior lobe causes death, just as if the whole gland had 

 been taken away. Of all the structures included in the pituitary 

 body, the most important from the functional point of view 

 appears to be the superficial layer of the anterior lobe. It has 

 been asserted that the pituitary undergoes (compensatory ?) 

 hypertrophy after thyroidectomy. Some observers have accord- 

 ingly assumed a similarity of function for these organs. It 

 has even been stated that the production of colloid material by 

 the cells of the pars intermedia (lying between the anterior lobe 

 and the nervous tissue of the posterior lobe, and investing the 

 latter) is increased, and that colloid accumulates in the nervous 



