Abstract
(1) Total extirpation of the accessory cortical tissues besides both main suprarenals was undertaken in rabbits by a 4-stage operation. In the majority of cases it was done with success. The longest survival duration of rabbits deprived of all the cortical tissue was recorded as 5 weeks. Seventy per cent of the animals died within 14 days.
(2) Outstanding pathological changes in the rabbits which died on the total removal of the cortical tissue were congestion and haemorrhage in the intestinal tract, though the severity differed from case to case and in some cases they were absent. In some cases of the doubly suprarenalectomized rabbits, which were found involving the accessories at autopsy, similar findings were noted, but rather not so frequently and in somewhat, less degree. Very slight hyperaemia was found in certain parts of the intestines of the normal rabbit.
(3) The compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining main gland seemed to be facilitated or accelerated by removal of the accessories in addition to the removal of the first main gland, and the removal of some accessories besides the main glands plays seemingly a similar rôle in hypertrophy of the remaining accessories in compensation.
(4) In the abdominal cavity of normal rabbits we were able to detect the accessory cortical tissues in about 70 per cent; they were as a rule less than 2 mms. in diameter, somewhat larger ones being found only infrequently. The localization is to be found in the text.
