60 research outputs found
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
- …