SECRETION. 



415 



in nine hours; in the guinea-pig, in three hours. Death is preceded 

 by a considerable weakness, true paralysis of the members and respira- 

 tory muscles, and epileptiform convulsions. 



If the blood of animals dying from removal of the capsules be 

 transfused into an animal that has just undergone the operation, 

 there is produced a very rapid paralysis and death. Injecting an 

 extract of the capsules into an animal from which the capsules have 

 been removed slowed the symptoms and prolonged life. Hence, it 





M^ 





Wlttrt/lMt/^^ 



jjtaiuft^^ 





Fig. 154. Turtle's Heart, Suspended by Lever. 



1, Normal curve. 2, 3, 4, Curves after the gradual application to the heart 

 of seven drops of adrenalin solution. 



has been concluded that the chief function of the suprarenal capsules 

 is the neutralization of a poison analogous to curare. The means by 

 which this is accomplished is a poison-destroying secretion in their 

 cells. The poison to be neutralized is manufactured in the organism 

 and accumulates in the blood in instances of lesion or removal of the 

 suprarenals. 



The effects of adrenalin upon any tissue are such as follow 

 excitation of the sympathetic nerve, which supplies the tissue. It 

 stimulates the myoneural substance or receptive substances of cells, 

 tt can be used as a test for the existence of sympathetic nerves 



