1909.] The Functions of the Pituitary Body. 



4,57 



represent cubic centimetres : the dates as before are marked proportionately 

 on the abscissa. The correspondence between the two curves is almost 

 complete : the fluctuations, which are considerable, and are probably caused 

 by varying meteorological conditions — especially, perhaps, temperature — 



50 



Dates 4 & 12 16 20 24 26 I 8 15 22 29 6 13 20 27 



March April May 



Fig. 3. — Chart of Urine Secretion of the Groups A and B. 



synchronise in a singular manner :* only towards the end of the experiment 

 and after the animals of Group A had received a certain small proportion of 

 posterior lobe, intermingled with the dried anterior lobe powder which they 

 had previously been taking, is there any distinct difference in the relative 

 amount of urine per gramme weight of animal, and even this does not show 

 itself immediately. 



The fluctuations in the urea excretion correspond on the whole with those 

 of the amount of urine, but there was less urea excreted in the pituitary -fed 

 animals than in the controls. 



This experiment is given to show the manner in which we are 

 endeavouring to approach the problem as to the effects of pituitary feeding 

 upon growth rather than with the intention of drawing positive conclusions 

 from it. We must await the result of other experiments still in progress 



* The necessity of working with a duplicate set of control animals is well illustrated 

 by the curves in this experiment. Without such control the very considerable fluctua- 

 tions, which are probably due to meteorological conditions, might easily be misinterpreted 

 as effects contingent on the experiment. 



