460 



Prof. E. A. Schafer. 



[July 22, 



Posterior Lobe. 



The experiments hitherto mentioned have been concerned mainly with an 

 attempt to elucidate the functions of the anterior lobe of the pituitary ; 

 those that we have next to consider had mainly in view the diuretic 

 properties of the secretion of the gland, which former investigations have 

 shown to be most probably connected with the posterior lobe, at least with 

 the pars intermedia. The experiments on this subject may be referred to 

 under three heads, viz., feeding, grafting, and stimulation by injury. 



Feeding Experiments. 



There seems to be little doubt that the exhibition by the mouth of an 

 active water-extract of the posterior lobe may greatly increase the amount 

 of urine secreted. We have frequently, although not invariably, obtained 

 such increase in animals ; where it has failed to occur — as, indeed, may 

 happen also with intravenous injection — the failure is probably due to some 

 special condition in the individual which renders him irresponsive to the 

 excess of pituitary substance which is passing into the blood. What this 

 condition may be we need not stop to inquire, but it is noteworthy that the 

 activity of the gland in promoting diuresis often appears greatest in cases 

 in which the amount of urine which was previously being passed is less 

 than usual. 



In connection with this part of the investigation, Mr. Harold Stiles was 

 good enough to allow an active extract of the posterior lobe of the ox 

 pituitary to be tested upon two children under his care, both convalescent 

 after operations and otherwise in good health ; these may be given as 

 instances of the effect of the extract. 



In the first of these cases, a boy, aged 10 years, during a period prior to the 

 exhibition of the extract, was secreting an average of 28 fl. oz. of urine per 

 diem, while during and immediately after the period that the extract was 

 being administered the average secretion was 38 fl. oz. 



In the second case, that of a girl, aged 9| years, the average amount of 

 urine in the period prior to the administration was unusually low, viz., only 

 9 fl. oz. per diem, whereas during and immediately after the period of 

 administration it rose to an average of 29 fl. oz., and was one day as much as 

 35 fl. oz. 



Instances of marked increase of urine-secretion as the result of the 

 clinical administration of pituitary extract exist in the literature of the 

 gland. Marinesco (1895) gives the results of the treatment of three cases 

 of acromegaly with tablets of pituitary. In the first the average amount of 



