The function of these bodies is quite obscure, but some writers, on presumed analogy with the thyroid gland, have supposed that they secrete some substance necessary for the economy. With one exception their diseases are of minor importance.

Addison's disease is demonstrably connected in the great majority of cases (80% Lewin) with disease of the suprarenal bodies. The disease is a local tuberculosis. The suprarenals are enlarged, and their tissue is replaced by caseous matter and fibrous tissue. Usually the whole organs are transformed, and no recent or recognizable structures may be found, but if the condition be not so advanced, then ordinary tubercles are visible, and the disease is seen to be tubercular. Besides the lesion in the suprarenal bodies there is matting and contraction of the tissues outside them, involving the important nerve structures, the semilunar ganglia, etc., in the neighbourhood.

Tumours are not frequent in the suprarenal bodies. Struma lipo-matosa suprarenalis is a name used by Virchow for a simple enlargement composed of suprarenal tissue rich in fat. Primary sarcoma is an occasional tumour. A, case of primary double sarcoma is recorded by Affleck and Leith, who also give references to two other cases seen by Leith and to sixteen recorded cases. The case given showed cells of various sizes, many multinucleated. There were secondary tumours in various regions. Most recorded cases are spindle-cells - some have been cystic. A case of bulky spindle-celled sarcoma is recorded by the author. Secondary cancer in the form of isolated nodules is not uncommon when generalization of cancer has occurred.

In addition the organs are liable to the usual pathological changes, but these are chiefly secondary to affections of other organs. Thus we have inflammation, haemorrhage, fatty degeneration, amyloid degenera tion.

Literature

Addison, On the constitutional and local effects of disease of the -suprarenal capsules, London, 1854; Greenhow, On Addison's disease, 1875, also Trans. Internat. Med. Cong., London, ii., 1881; Von Kahlden, Virchow's Arch., 114, 1888; Lubabsch, Ergebnisse d. allgem. Path., etc., mil-, 1896 (literature); Bolleston, Brit. Med. Journ. i., 1895, also Allbutt's System of Med., iv., 1897. I'iimourn - Affleck and Leith, Edin. Hosp. Bep., 189(5; Coats, Glas. Med. Jour., 1872.