Recent advances in endocrinology / by A.T. Cameron.

  • Cameron, A. T. (Alexander Thomas), 1882-1947.
Date:
1933
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Recent advances in endocrinology / by A.T. Cameron. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    too much or too little of these specific compounds, hut it does not produce abnormal compounds. The terminology of the subject is still so far from perfect that it frequently hampers, rather than helps, its progress. Numerous terms have been coined for the specific compounds as a class ; some of these are based upon the presumed function of a single one of them. Typical of such names is hormone (from Gk. hormon, rousing, or setting in motion). This was originally proposed for the class by Bayliss and Starling, after their discovery of secretin ; they suggested the name because secretin aroused the pancreas to secrete its juice. The term, however suitable for secretin, is not properly applicable to the majority of endocrine “ secretions ” ; many of them are not “ hormonal ” in their action. With the idea that these secretions were either u excitants ” or “ depres¬ sants,” the term cltalone (Gk. chalao, 1 relax) was suggested to designate the latter ; it has never been widely used. Fuller knowledge of the varieties of action associated with different secretions indicates that manv are not truly designated by either term. Their actions, by whatever intermediate process they are achieved, are related to specific biochemical changes, different for each “ secretion ” and incapable of correct designation by generic class names indicating one or two physiological or pharmacological effects. By some writers the term “ hormone ” has been so widely extended that it has become almost meaningless ; an extreme example of its indiscriminate use is the terming of such a normal catabolite as carbon dioxide a hormone because the concentration of carbonic acid in tissue controls the action of the respiratory centre (through its effect upon hydrogen ion concentration). Certain terms have been invented which are less specific in their meaning. A typical example is autacoid, suggested by Sharpey-Schafer (Gk. autos, self; akos, a medicinal agent or remedy). Autacoid thus suggests an unusual agent, whereas the endocrine 4* secretions ” are normal products, and in no sense