100 The Philippine Journal of Science isia 



cases cited by the latter, can happen on the supposition that 

 the condition commences by simple hyperplasia, the neoplasm 

 being the terminal phenomenon. 



But if the facts indicate that this anterior glandular portion 

 furnishes hormones or other products which stimulate the de- 

 velopment of bone or connective tissue, the observations of Her- 

 ring show that the intermediate portion, also glandular, develops 

 colloid material which finds its way through the nervous posterior 

 portion of the gland, which is directed toward the infundibulum, 

 and thence to the cerebral ventricles. This internal secre- 

 tion elaborated in these two portions has different but equally 

 useful properties, which, as Howell (i) has shown, is not present 

 in the extract obtained from the anterior portion. According 

 to experiments carried out by Oliver and Schafer,(i) an extract 

 of these two portions produces a rise of blood pressure very sim- 

 ilar to, but more prolonged than, that induced by suprarenal ex- 

 tract, plus an increase of urinary secretion or polyuria absolutely 

 independent of blood pressure, but directly due to the action of 

 the extract on the renal tissues. Similarly to adrenalin, this ex- 

 tract is indifferent to warmth or heat. The indications are that 

 the gland produces not one but several hormones. Like the su- 

 prarenals this diminutive gland, which in man weighs only 0.5 

 gram, is essential to life, and according to the experiments of 

 Paulesco(li) and Reford and Harvey Cushing(i4) its extirpa- 

 tion in animals in the laboratory is followed by death within 

 forty-eight hours or more, with marked symptoms of inanition. 

 The essential cause of this death is yet unknown. It is, never- 

 theless, a significant fact that this diminutive organ, essentially 

 glandular, should exercise such an extraordinary influence in the 

 life of animals. 



REPORT OF CASE 



The condition of the patient and the impossibility of obtaining a history 

 made it impossible to get many clinical facts about the case. The post- 

 mortem examination showed a case of simple pituitary lesion, that is, one 

 without the accompaniment of acromegaly. 



Clinical history. — It was an emergency case. The patient was found in 

 the street in an unconscious state. 



Personal data. — The patient was a male, name, age, and occupation 

 unknown. However, his age must have been between 30 and 35 years. 

 Family antecedents and social position were unobtainable. 



Actual condition of the subject. — When first seen, the patient was in 

 bed with dyspnoea and general convulsions. The pulse was small, slow, 

 and thready; no fever; hypothermia was present; there was no paralysis. 

 He was of strong frame and well nourished; his development was normal. 

 It was impossible to obtain further symptomatological facts than those 



