646 INTERNAL SECRETION 



however, kept under observation for long periods I after partial 

 removal of the anterior lobe, a marked tendency to accumulate 

 fat has been noted, accompanied by hypoplasia of the generative 

 organs in adults) or the persistence of the infantile condition in 

 immature animals. On the other hand/ complete removal of the 

 anterior lobe /causes death,! just as if trie whole gland had been 

 taken away. ( Of all the structures included in the pituitary body, 

 the most important from the functional joint of view appears to be 

 the superficial layer of the anterior lobe./ 



Mere separation of the stalk of the hypophysis may produce 

 effects sometimes as serious as those of total removal of the gland, 

 probably owing to the disturbance caused in the circulation. It is 

 stated, indeed, by some observers that the vulnerable point is the 

 base of the infundibulum, and that if this is not injured extirpation 



Fig. 207. 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. 



of the hypophysis is not incompatible with continued existence, 

 and that in adult animals the resultant changes are only slight, 

 although much more pronounced, especially as regards the disturb- 

 ances in metabolism and development in young animals. Bit has 

 been asserted that the pituitary undergoes (compensatory ?)Tiyper- 

 trophy after thyroidectomy. J Some observers have accordingly 

 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 is increased, and that colloid accumulates in the 

 nervous portion of the posterior lobe. " But this colloid, whatever 

 its function may be, is very different from that of the thyroid 

 alveoli, for the (sheep's) pituitary contains no iodine after extir- 

 pation of the ihyroid any more than before (Simpson and 

 Hunter). And Jin man pathological changes (tumours) in the 

 pituitary body are associated, not with myxoedema, or other 



