disease, etc., anoci-association may become vitally important.


[*] See footnote, page 4.@@@


Graves' Disease


By applying the principle of the discharge of nervous energy by
phylogenetic association, and by making the additional hypothesis
that in the discharge of nervous energy the thyroid gland is stimulated
through the nervous system, we can explain many of the phenomena
of Graves' disease and may possibly discover some of the factors
which explain both its genesis and its cure.

In the wild state of animal life in which only the fittest
survive in the struggle for existence, every point of advantage
has its value. An animal engaged in battle or in a desperate
effort to escape will be able to give a better account of itself
if it have some means of accelerating the discharge of energy--
some influence like that of pouring oil upon the kindling fire.
There is evidence, though perhaps it is not conclusive,
that such an influence is exerted by the thyroid gland.
In myxedema, a condition characterized by a lack of thyroid secretion,
there is dulness of the reflexes and of the intellect, a lowered
muscular power, and generally a sluggish discharge of energy.
In Graves' disease there is an excessive production of thyroid secretion.
In this disease the reflexes are increased, the discharge of
energy is greatly facilitated, and metabolism is at a maximum.