The history of our knowledge regarding the functions of the pituitary gland

The Pituitary is one of the series of 'glands termed the Endocrine Organs and as such, it plays a vary important function in, the vital activities of the body, Despite its importance however, it is only comparatively recently that investigations have been made regarding its functions in the human machine

The evolution of modern therapy in Addison's disease and its application in several illustrative cases: submitted for the Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize in Physiology, 1938

1. The treatment of Addison's Disease is traced from its inception to the present time and the principles underlying the various forms of modern therapy are propounded and discussed.2. All cases of Addison's Disease that have entered hospitals in the Edinburgh area in the period 1927 - 1938 are reviewed and their treatment analysed.3. Original investigations into the different forms of modern therapy have been carried out and the results are presented.4. It is shown that cortical extract is undoubtedly beneficial when administered by itself and that its use is essential in times of "crisis".5. The effect of Cortical extract is greatly enhanced by the coincident use of sodium chloride or abundant salines.6. Evidence is produced to show that between the crises the administration of cortical extract is not necessary, provided that a high sodium chloride and a low potassium intake are maintained, and that no intercurrent toxic condition arises.7. It is demonstrated that a high potassium intake in Addison's Disease is detrimental, but tais may be "covered" if ample cortical extract is given or if the sodium intake is sufficiently high.8. It is suggested that all cases of Addison's Disease should have a diet with a low potassium content, and the difficulties underlying the preparation of such a diet are discussed.9. Several typical food:- stuffs are tabulated according to their potassium content and a suggested low potassium diet is outlined.10. Cases of Addison's Disease are described illustrating the application of the above conclusions

Autocoid substances: in relation to the autonomic nerves; The thyroid gland

1. A historical survey of the subject is presented.2. Possible explanations of the divergent results of previous workers are given.3. A new type of electrode which I have evolved for this class of work is described.4. Original observations on the action of thyroid preparations are presented, from which the following conclusions may be drawn:- a. Injection of thyroid extract invariably produces a fall in the bloodpressure in cats and dogs. This may or may not be accompanied by an alteration in the heart rate. b. More than one substance is responsible for this depressor effect all of which are readily hydrolysed by alkali, to substances having physiological properties similar to those of trimethylamine. c. The injection of thyroid extract has no definite and specific effect which is demonstrable in the course of an "acute" experiment, upon the response to subsequent stimulation of the cardiac fibres of the vagus in the cat. d. Injections of extract of liver or of tonsil may be followed by effects upon the cardio -vascular nerves, similar to those succeeding thyroid extract. e. These phenomena may also occur after the injection of Lockets solution, or may appear apparently spontaneously. f. Thyroxin has no definite and unmistakable effect upon the cardio -vascular system, demonstrable in an "acute" experiment. g. No support can be given to the statement that the injection of thyroid extract, or of thyroxin, increases the response to subsequent injections of adrenalin.5. There are indications throughout these experiments which suggest that the minimal stimulus to be applied to the vagus in order to produce cardiac inhibition in the cat, varies in strength between wide limits.6. Further investigation into the conditions affecting the excitability of, and the onset of fatigue in, the cardio-inhibitory fibres of the vagus, is indicated