STUDIES OF THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS VIII. The Differential Diagnosis of Endocrine Disorders

In an earlier communication (1), the author described in some detail an objective method for the differential diagnosis of disorders of the several endocrine glands and the separation of such endocrinopathies from the numerous non-endocrine conditions simulating them in their clinical and laboratory evidences. Later papers, in collaboration with Dr. C. H. Lawrence, have presented the results from the application of the method severally to functional disturbances of the pituitary (2), the thyroid (3), the gonads, male and female (4), the adrenals (5), and a group of socalled “pluriglandular” syndromes (6). A subsequent article (7a, b) has dealt with an analysis of a series of cases each of which offered clinical or laboratory evidence suggesting an endocrinopathy but which on thorough study gave positive evidence of an underlying etiology unassoeiated with the ductless glands. The present communication is designed to amplify and summarize the earlier papers and present in as concrete and practical form as may be possible the results of experience gained in studies that have been actively carried on since 1912.