HYPOPHYSIS SICCA 101 



is its similarity to adrenaline, from which it differs mainly in being 

 slightly slower and somewhat more persistent (2-3 times) in action. 

 The effect of pituitrin, on the other hand, is brought about in a 

 different way than that of adrenaline, in that its action upon the 

 heart and blood vessels is due to direct action upon the muscles and 

 not through the nerve endings. 



Uterus. The plain muscle of the uterus is so stimulated by deep 

 muscular or hypodermic injections that the drug has been recom- 

 mended for use in uterine inertia. 



Milk. Many investigators have experimented with pituitrin 

 upon the secretion of milk. It is generally conceded that the injec- 

 tion of pituitary extract will increase, temporarily at least, the 

 amount of milk and the per cent, of fat. Simpson and Hill, ex- 

 perimenting upon goats and cows, conclude as follows : 



" Goats. The administration of pituitary extract, by intrave- 

 nous, muscular or subcutaneous injection, to a lactating animal leads 

 to an increase in the quantity of milk secreted and also in its fat con- 

 tent. In the goat, if the injection be continued at intervals over a 

 prolonged period — several months — immunity to its action on the 

 mammary gland appears to be established both in regard to the 

 amount of milk yielded and the percentage of fat it contains. 



" Cow. 1. In the cow, the intravenous injection of pituitary 

 extract (whole glands or posterior lobe alone) leads to an immediate 

 secretion of milk very rich in fat. The effect, however, quickly 

 passes off. 



" 2. There is a corresponding diminution of milk at the next 

 milking period, and to some extent in the percentage of fat, so that 

 for the twenty-four hours, there is practically no increase either in 

 the quantity of milk or of fat obtained." 



Toxicology. Pituitary extract is comparatively nontoxic, ac- 

 cording to Haughton, who gave a 500 gram guinea pig 15 mils per 

 OS. or 3 mils hypodermically without causing toxic symptoms. 



Urine. Pituitary extract is a marked diuretic, producing its 

 action by a local dilatation of the renal vessels and probably by 

 stimulating the renal cells. 



Therapeutics. 



1. Dystohia. In dystokia due to uterine inertia, especially in 

 dogs, cats and swine. 



2. Prevent hemorrhage. According to Gorton, solution of the 

 pituitary body increases the coagulability of the blood when given 

 subcutaneously and greatly diminishes laemorrhage when adminis- 

 tered a few minutes previous to operating upon the nose and throat. 



3. Shock. Hypodermic injections of the solution may be useful 

 in shock from anesthesia or operations. 



