Glands: Their Influence on Personality

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVII, Issue 4, 1 October 1924, Page 159

Glands: Their Influence on Personality

Ivo Geikie Cobb

(By

M.D., m "The Nursing Times.")

The subject chosen is one presenting considerable difficulty, for it essentially lends itself to the wildest speculation. There are, however, several established facts about the internal secretory glands, and perhaps we cannot do better than commence by a brief description of the endocrine glands, including m this description those tissues secreting, or generally described as secreting, a fluid which contributes to the metabolic processes of the body. The particular angle from which we are reviewing this subject to-night is the relation between the ductless glands and thai: psychological "something" we call personality. To what extent is the personality formed by the internal secretions? Is the individual merely the sum-total of the action and interaction of these chemicals — an automaton, acting at any given moment according to which hormone is m the ascendant ? Alternatively, are the hormones regulated by the mind, are they servants, not masters? In his attractive, but speculative, book "The Glands Eegulating Personality, ' ' Dr. Herman says : " .... The riddle of personality! Are we at last upon the track of its uncovering? That elusive mystery, which philosophers have wrapped m the thousand veils o.t' Greek and Latin words, and psychologists, even unto the third and fourth generation of Freudians, have floundered about m, is it to be unwound for our inspection? Think of the human soul. What an invisible, intangible chameleon is its true reality. Watch it, and you will see something that seems to uncurl and expand like a feather with exaltation and delight, and joy, to contract and stiffen into a billiard ball with fear and pride, shrewd caution and vigilant malevolence, to reai* back and spark fire like lightning with anger and temper, and to crawl and slither with an abjection and smirking shyness, when it needs to. This multiplex 'Thing Behind-Life,' are we really about to dissect it into its elements? Personality embraces much more than mere-

ly the psychic attributes. It is not the least important of the lessons of endocrine analysis that there is no soul, and no body, either. Rather a soul-body, or bodysoul, or the patterns of the living flame, why it lives, and how it lives, the strange diversities of its colourings, and music, and the odd variations m its energy, vitality and longevity. Why it flickers, why it flares, spurts, flutters, burns hard or soft, orange-blue or yellow." This is the description, or rather part of the description, of an endocrinologist, of the problem presented to anyone seeking to allot fairly the part contributed by the internal secretions to the makeup of the individual. Contrast these suppositions with the division of personalities accepted from the pre-psychological days. There were four recognised temperaments, the sanguine, the bilious, the lymphatic and the nervous. They were roughcast divisions, and depended, it will be noted, upon the mental rather than the physical signs, although based, as most things were m these materialistic days, upon the assumption of their bodily origin. The student of endocrinology, however, focuses his attention upon the glands without ducts, and from their activity or otherwise he deduces what he calls an endocrine type. With even a brief but necessarily incomplete description of the main glands we shall be able better to describe the endocrine types; but we must bear m mind that up to a point only these are accepted, and that beyond a certain wide margin, consisting of marked characteristics, we are still unable to say definitely to which type every individual belongs. The "thyroid" has been termed the keystone of the endocrine system. This small gland belongs to the group of ductloss glands — that is to say, its secretion is poured into the blood-stream direct, and not by means of a duct. It is situated m the neck, and consists of two lobes, one on each side of the trachea, extending upwards to the thyroid cartilage, covering its inferior cornea and part of its body.

Joining these two lobes is the isthmus. The gland is surrounded by a capsule, and is composed of vesicles lined with cylindrical or cubical cells. These vesicles contain the typical colloid material "iodothyrin," which is composed of iodine m combina tion with an active principle, which has the characters of globulin. Its recognition we owe to Buamann, of Freiburg, who discovered its existence m 1896. The weight of the gland varies between 32 and 60 grammes; it is larger m females than m males, and undergoes changes m size at the menstrual periods, and at such times as puberty and the climacteric; it is liable to swell under marked excitement and during emotional strain. After thyroid extirpation there is a marked retardation m metabolism m general, nitrogenous metabolism is greatly reduced, fat metabolism is likewise diminished, as the tendency to the deposition of fat m myxoemia shows. The reduction m the metabolic exchanges naturally diminish heat production, and this point is of interest from the practical standpoint, human beings with deficient Thyroid secretion being more susceptible to cold, and suffering increased discomfort m the winter months. As opposed to this, patients with Graves 's disease rarely suffer any inconvenience from cold, but feel the heat of the summer months to be almost insupportable. As is wellknown, they are nervous and restless, and the increased tissue-wastage produces a rapid loss of flesh, and m some cases actual emaciation. "What are the functions of this gland, and how does it contribute to the individual's mental and physical make-up? This question can most easily be answered by a brief study of the types produced when the secretion of the gland is m excess and when it is deficient, but we must note that even m these cases probably other glands are secondarily involved and contribute m some degree to the patterns produced.

The best example of an over-action of the thyroid secretion is seen m the disease which is known variously as Exophthalmic Goitre, Graves 's or Basedow's disease. Patients with this complaint are extremely difficult to manage, and their

personality alters m a marked degree. From being docile, it may be, the sufferer changes into an intractable, selfish, restless, and inconsiderate being. The medical attendant as a rule receives the full benefit of it, and little he can do is right. He is either old-fashioned when he explains that the reason for rest m bed, for example, is to avoid straining an already weakened heart; or an ignoramus if he insists that rest combined with hygienic principles offers the best hope for alleviating the disease. If he suggests trying a new remedy, he is experimenting; if he persists with the old, he is a "stick-m-the-mud." The mental symptoms arc, like the physical, capable of entirely clearing up; but even so, Leonard Williams doubts whether the individual is ever quite the same again. There can be little doubt that this disease plays havoc with the patient's character. It changes the quiet to the restless, the unselfish to the self-centred, and the amiable to the perverse. Apart from the changes m character, more serious symptoms are seen m connection with Graves J s disease. Apart from actual insanity, such as melancholia, mania, hallucinatory confusion, and obsessions, there are minor changes which are apt to lead to these more serious psychoses. Thus, the patient is excitable, wildly restless, sleepless and confused. She is incapable of organised thought, of successful memory, or of attentive control; while her general mental habits have been well described by Reynolds as ''mental chorea." Apart from actual Graves J s disease, the state of hyperthyroidism is associated with definite mental and physical characteristics. The hyperthyroidic is what the Americans would call a "live-wire." She is alert, keen, restless, quick m mind and body, and usually, intolerant of the views and opinions of others. Contrast this with the opposite state, namely, where the secretion of this gland is to some extent deficient. From the cretin to the adult anologue, the mycedematous subject — from a trifling degree of lacking to the almost complete atrophy of the organ — all stages are seen m the human subject. The characteristic picture of the subthy-

roidic is that of a heavy, slow-witted individual, w T ith lumps of fat, scanty hair, cracked nails, and carious teeth. Such changes can m the majority of subjects be stopped by the administration of thyroid substance. It is even possible that most individuals who have passed the fourth decade of life, would benefit by thyroid feeding. The thyroid is the gland which regulates growth and is the necessary stimulus to adolescence. Minor degrees of deficiency lead to infantilism — to some defect m the development of mind and body or both. It has been said that the growth of an individual can be decided according to the gland whose influence is most felt at the particular decade. Infancy is the epoch of the thymus, childhood of the pineal, adolescence the epoch of the sexual glands, maturity the epoch of whichever gland has "come out uppermost/ senility being the period of general endocrine deficiency, the symptoms of which vary according to which gland is the most m the ascendant. The "thymus" is a gland siuated behind the sternum, which is most active during the first decade of life, and which was supposed to atrophy at or before puberty. It is now known, however, that it does not necessarily do so, and certain diseases, and, indeed, certain types of endocrine personality are characterised by a persistent thymus. This gland appears to wax m infancy, to attain its full development about the fifth year, and wane as the generative glands develop. Situated m the chest, across the trachea, it covers the upper portion of the heart, and is very variable m size, being m certain states large enough to interfere with respiration m the now-born child. While there are many theories as to the function of this gland, and to the part it plays m the bodily health, there is a concensus of opinion that its normal working is essential to childhood. Certain facts m connection with this gland are pertinent to our present study. It is known that, m a large percentage of individuals suffering from an over-active thyroid gland, the thymus is apt to retard the development

of adolescence — to keep the child childish. If it does so act, may not some of the mental deficients, or perhaps the individuals who are not quite so keen intellectually as their fellows, be suffering from persistency of this gland which has acted as a brake upon other of the inter-nally-secreting glands ? Brief mention must be made m passing of a small gland situated m the brain and known as the "Pineal body" — a small cone-shaped piece of tissue. The facts known about this organ are few. Tumours of the gland have been associated with an extraordinarily rapid development, so that m a case recorded by von Hockwart, a child of five developed into a child with the development of one of twelve years. He was found to have a tumour of this gland. From the results of cei^tain experimental observations it is believed that this small gland takes some part m the normal growth of the body. Considerably more is known of the "pituitary" gland. This is situated at the base of the brain, is about the size of a pea, and is divided into two parts, the anterior and the posterior. The anterior part of the pituitary is concerned with the growth of the skeleton and, to some extent, the regulation of metabolism; while from the posterior part is obtained an internal secretion known as pituitrin. This substance plays a most important part m the function of the body. It controls the tone of the tissue, is a stimulator of involuntary or plain muscle-tissue, and exerts through this function a general stimulatory effect upon all the organs governed by involuntary muscle. An injection of pituitrin is followed by a rise m blood-pressure, which although temporary m nature, lasts for some time ; it stimulates the flow of such secretions as the urine and the milk, and increases the peristaltic movements of the intestine. It has been suggested that the pituitary governs the metabolism of those animals which hibernate; and so regulates the storage of food m the body, that prolonged winter sleep is possible. From this a comparison has been made with the

natural sleep of man and animals; and it has been suggested that sleep being a rythmical process is governed by the action of the pituitary. Deficiency of functioning of this internal secretion is accompanied by many of the signs of lowered metabolism which are present m under-action of the thyroid — a heaviness and torpor, a tendency to fat formation and a general resemblance to the drowsiness which so often accompanies old age when the regulators of metabolism are wearing out. It has been suggested that the fat boy m the "Pickwick Papers" was an example of under-action of the pituitary, because his occupation consisted mainly m eating and sleeping. The "adrenal" glands are composed of two parts, a medulla or central portion, and a cortex or outer-layer. The medulla is the seat of origin of that most vital chemical to which the name of adrenalin has been given. Removal of the adrenal glands, or their invasion by disease, is followed by death' — and it is now r known that the medullary secretion is essential to life. Further, it has been shown that adrenalin is a link between the nervous system, or rather that part of it we call the sympathetic system, and the mind. Strong emotions, pain, excitement and fear cause a discharge of this secretion from the gland into the blood and a consequent heightening of the nervous tension of the body. The cortex or outer parl is, no doubt, equally important m its Avay, but less is known definitely of its functions, and less time has been devoted to its study. The adrenal cortex is larger m proportion m the human being than m many animals. There is a dired association betAveen the sexual organs and the adrenal cortex; also between the instinct of pugnacity and the size of this part of the gland. Changes m the cortex, like tumours of the pineal occurring m children, produce premature adolescence, and it is therefore assumed that one source of puberty is to be found m the adrenals. The "Parathyroids" have only comparatively recently been investigated, and their functions at all accurately esti-

mated. They are minute glandular organs, and it appears that they have several important functions — first amongst these being to control the metabolism of lime-salts m the body. The removal of the Parathyroids is associated with an enormous increase m the sensitiveness of the nervous system, so that a condition similar to tetany develops. This can be controlled, according to some observers, by the administration of calcium salts and extracts of the parathyroid. Recently, still wider uses have been found for this glandular substance, and it has proved very useful m diseases associated with deficient lime-salts. Closely allied m their work with the adrenals are the interstital glands, or those parts of the sexual glands which pour their secretion straight into the blood. An enormous amount of investigation has been done upon these secretions, largely from two viewpoints; one, their effect upon the formation of the secondary sex characteristics; secondly, the part they play m the question of senility, to what extent old age is the expression of a deficiency of the interstital gland. There can be no doubt that the activity of the interstital cells is necessary to the full strength and virility of the adult, and that a waning of their activities is followed by a diminution m the virility and general bodily and mental powers. Turning to the second part of the subject, namely, the different endocrine-pat-terns and how they contribute to the type of personality, I am largely indebted to Dr. Herman's "Glands Regulating Personality." The "adrenal personality," that is to say, a type of individual dominated by his adrenal gland. These types are normal—enjoying good health and comfortably adapted to environment. The skin is always more or less pigmented, frequently irregularly so, and areas of darker nature than the surrounding skin are found — it is believed related to past illnesses. In Addison's disease — a state due to disease, generally tuberculous of the adrenals, there is a general bronzing, more marked, however, m some localities

than m others. This speaks of adrenal insufficiency — so do the darker areas seen m the adrenal type of personality. The adrenal type is a hairy one, übiquitous, thick, coarse and dry hair. The skin is freckled, but so are many of the pituitary type. The canine teeth arc Avell marked. The hair-line is low, and when the adrenals are working adequately such an individual is a good fighter, a persevering, rather imperious, stubborn and highly intelligent being. We do hear, however, of the uncompensated, adrenal-failing type. There are those who start the day well, but lag as the day wears on — they are tired by tea-time and are more tired by bedtime. Holidays have to be more frequent, and the general level of efficiency is lowered. It is assumed that such a man is suffering from failure of the demands made upon his adrenals by his personality. The "pituitary types." Taking the gland as a whole, one may say : When the gland is adequate and dominant there is : Large spare frame, eyes wide apart, broad face, teeth large, unspaeed, square protruding jaws, large hands and feet, aggressive, calculating. When the gland is inferior: Small delicate skeleton, adipose muscles weak, dry flabby skin, mentality dull, sluggish, apathetic, psychic stamina poor. The "thyroid" personality we need not discuss m detail, as we have already glanced at the broad outlines of thyroid deficiency and excess. In childhood we have the lovely, precocious, bright infant, well up to his standard of knowledge. He is thin, with a high colour, sweats easily, and is usually restless.

The opposite picture m infancy is the cretin, or milder, type of hypo-thyroid-eic child. In adolescence such an individual is recognised by the following signs : Height below the average, tendency to obesity, sallow complexion, hair dry, hair line high, deep-set eyes, eyebrows scanty, carious teeth m early life, bad circulation, subject to chilblains. The so-called "Thymus centred" type is m reality a preservation beyond the normal time of the activity and influence of the thymus gland. Childhood is dominated by the thymus, which only ceases to sway as puberty approaches. There are types, however, described, m which the influence of the thymus is excessive, and which gives the type of child who is known as the " angel child." Dr. Berman describes her as ''regularly proportioned and perfectly made, like a fine piece of sculpture with delicately chiselled features. Transparent skin, changing colour easily. Long silky hair, with an exceptional grace of movement and alertness of mind. They may look the picture of health, but they are more liable than any other children to be eliminated by tuberculosis, meningitis, or even one of the common diseases of childhood/ If the thymus persists into adult life we get a type which may be called the adult thymo-centric personality. Such individuals show a reversion m type — slender waists, rounded limbs, long chest and even feminine type of pelvis. Their skin is fair, hair thin and fine, and their whole look is ethereal. The thymus child is definitely more delicate and hard to rear than those whose other glands are more m the ascendant.