A Study of Addison's Disease: An Investigation of the Chemical Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Insufficiency

Wilson, Andrew (1944) A Study of Addison's Disease: An Investigation of the Chemical Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment of Adrenal Insufficiency. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

1. In a description of the signs and symptoms of Addison's disease particular Reference is made to the various chemical pathological changes which are characteristic of adrenal insufficiency in animals and in man. These changes signify a disturbance in the osmotic balance between tissues and the role of histamine as a possible cause of the altered permeability of cells is discussed. the relationship between the cortical secretion of the adrenal gland and the amount of histamine present in the blood is considered. It has been shown that there is an increase of over 100% in the blood histamine of adrenalectoraised rabbits, and that the blood histamine level of these animals is considerably reduced after the administration of cortical extract. 3. In patients with Addison's disease not only is the blood histamine considerably greater than in normal persons, but the distribution of histamine between plasma and blood cells also differs. This distribution of histamine is restored to a more normal ratio after the administration of D.O.C.A. These findings afford some evidence of an anti-hisfamine function of the adrenal cortex. 4. There is little evidence of any direct relationship between the histamine content of plasma and the blood pressure of patients with Addison's disease or other patients with arterial hypotension. 5. The difficulties of diagnosing Addison's disease in the early stages are discussed and various tests for adrenal insufficiency are described. It is concluded that the Robinson, Power and Kepler excretion test is,at present, the most dependable method of determining adrenal insufficiency. 6. The occurrence of disease of the endocrine glands in association with Addison's disease is reviewed and a rare ease of diabetes mellitus in a patient with Addison's disease is described in detail. 7. The treatment of Addison's disease in the acute and chronic phases is discussed and particular reference is made to the value of D.O.C.A. therapy. The methods of administration of this hormone are considered at length and some complications resulting from its use are described. 8. It is concluded that Addison's disease, like diabetes mellitus, can be successfully treated and that the patient, under supervision, may pursue a life of useful activity.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Pathology, Endocrinology
• Date of Award: 1944
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1944-79574
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 04 Mar 2020 16:51
• Last Modified: 04 Mar 2020 16:51
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79574