Pituitary, a small gland, situated at the base of the brain, behind the root of the nose. It is divided into two parts, anterior and posterior. The secretion of the former regulates the skeletal growth of the body, while the secretion of the latter (pituitrin), controls the tone of the nerve cells, the involuntary muscles, the brain and sex organs, etc.
Adrenals (or suprarenals), two duplex glands, shaped like a cocked hat, set astride the kidneys. The outer portion of each gland is called the cortex, and the inner portion the medulla, or core. The secretion of the adrenals is called adrenin, or adrenalin. These are the glands of combat, and control energy production to meet emergencies. They are the physiological source of "second-wind."
Thymus, the "gland of childhood," is located in the chest, astride the windpipe. Its function in childhood seems to be to prevent too rapid growth and too early maturity of the organism. With the approach of adolescence it atrophies.
Pineal, a cone-shaped gland in the head, behind and above the pituitary. Its secretion is believed to influence sex and brain development, puberty and adolescence.
Pancreas ("sweetbreads"), located within the abdomen near the solar plexus. It produces both an internal and external secretion. Its internal secretion is insulin, which has received much publicity in connection with the treatment of diabetes. The function of the pancreas is the control ⟨of⟩ sugar from the liver. Atrophy or improper functioning ⟨of⟩ this gland, preventing the storage of sugar in the liver, ⟨making⟩ it impossible for the body to burn up blood sugar ⟨(glycogen)⟩ for its energy. This is the condition known as diabetes. It has been compared to a leaking coal bin, which deprives the furnace of sufficient fuel to generate the steam required to run the engine.
