Epilepsy, Grand Mal, Petit Mal Convulsions

traneous" hormones, (e) metabolic studies, (f) sensitivity of presumed target organ, (g) effects of removal of certain of the endocrines, (h) effect of hypophysectomy on target organs (related to subject "g"), and (i) graft studies. No student of experimental embryology should be denied the opportunity of reading Jost's essay. Finally, the essay by Greep on the interrelations of pituitary functions and pregnancy is a very concise and meaningful summary on (a) the ability of intact and hypophysectomized pregnant rats to handle water in the sense of excreting a water load, (b) the differences in weights of fetuses of intact and hypophysectomized rats, and (c) the target organs of the pituitary following hypophysectomy-with special reference to the adrenal glands. Citing data from the Harvard laboratories by several investigators, Greep concluded that in the hypophysectomized pregnant rat there is no substance coming from the conceptus which in any way modified the ability of the animal to excrete a load of water; therefore, this would indicate that nothing from the conceptus is stimulating the maternal adrenal gland to promote a diuretic effect. Greep reviewed several other experiments showing that hypophysectomy of pregnant rats effects a reduction in fetal body weights as well as in placental weight. Also discussed were the experiments of Philip E. Smith which reported that the pituitary could be removed very early from the pregnant monkey without interrupting the pregnancy. The animals remained in a good condition and delivered at term, some delivering normal fetuses. Of additional interest is the fact that the adrenal glands in the hypophysectomized pregnant monkeys remained in a healthy state. In the rat, however, Greer has shown that if the pituitary is removed on the 12th day of pregnancy, then by term the adrenal is reduced in size and is atrophied. Other studies by Knobil and Briggs indicate that the hypophysectomized pregnant animal's adrenal glands are slightly larger than those of the hypophysectomized nonpregnant control animal. It seems that the difference here might be due to some stimulus from the conceptus which partially maintains the maternal adrenal glands. Their incorporation of adrenal ascorbic acid and cholesterol studies support this tenable hypothesis. Although a small book in size, it is filled with information and will prove most useful among communities of scholars where gestational processes are being investigated.