Scientific Proceedings (42). 
of capsule and slight cystic dilatation. The epithelium in practically 
all tubules is very markedly and extensively degenerated, showing 
granular and fatty degeneration. There are many casts. Large 
bunches of peculiar unidentified, uncolored needle-shaped crystals 
are also found in the tubules. Large areas in the sections show 
collapse of tubules with much cellular infiltration and new forma- 
tion of cellular fibrous tissue between them. The appearances 
are those of a chronic parenchymatous nephritis. It is possible 
that these lesions are the result of one or the other poison, such as 
arsenic or phosphorus, which were used in destroying rats in this 
city. In this connection it is noteworthy however how rarely 
such lesions were observed in spite of the very extensive use of 
such poisons. 
46 (57i) 
The stimulation of adrenal secretion by emotional excitement. 
By W. B. CANNON and D. DE LA PAS. 
[From the Laboratory of Physiology in the Harvard Medical 
School.] 
Dreyers demonstration that splanchnic stimulation increased 
the content of adrenal secretion in blood from the adrenal veins 
has been confirmed by several observers. Adrenal secretion 
therefore is under control of the sympathetic system. 
Major emotional disturbances indicate the dominance of 
sympathetic impulses. In the cat, for example, fright causes 
dilation of the pupils, inhibition of the stomach and intestines, 
rapid heart, and erection of the hairs of the back and tail. Do 
not the adrenal glands share in this widespread subjugation of 
the viscera to sympathetic control? 
To try this suggestion the inhibition of contraction in strips of 
longitudinal intestinal muscle, sensitive to suprarenin 1 :20,ooo,ooo, 
was used as a biological test. Blood was obtained from the cat 
when quiet, and again after the animal was excited by the presence 
of a barking dog, by introducing, through the femoral vein, into 
the inferior vena cava to the region of the liver, a small vaselined 
catheter. The blood thus obtained was defibrinated and applied 
to the intestinal strip at body temperature. 
