HATE 327 



cause according to another, of hatred as manifested 

 in rage. 



Just above the kidneys there are two small 

 glands, each about as big as a pea, known as 

 suprarenal capsules, or adrenal glands. They 

 belong to that small group of glands in our bodies 

 which have no ducts, and whose secretions, 

 whatever they are, pass directly into the blood. 

 I have often wondered whether the ancient 

 Hebrews knew anything about their effect, because 

 they were so very particular in their burnt offerings 

 to offer up " the fat upon the kidneys/'* At 

 any rate these two little glands play an enormous 

 part in the physiology of hate. The secretion that 

 these bodies pour into the blood is known as 

 adrenalin. It is not controlled by the will. We 

 cannot by taking thought diminish or increase 

 the secretion of adrenalin. This secretion is of 

 the nature of what physiologists call a " reflex/' 

 and its reaction is deeply entangled in the working 

 of the nervous system, and is indeed automatic. 

 It has for a long time been recognised that the 

 characteristic feature of reflexes is purposeful : 

 i.e., they automatically serve some object useful 



* See "The Religion of the Semites/' by W. Robertson 

 Smith, p. 379- 



