It is very difficult to prove definitely by experiments, that there really exists such a condition as auto-intoxication; but, practically, its existence cannot be denied. We note after changes in the above-named organs, when their functions are in abeyance, signs of intoxication in a patient, which include headaches and other nervous symptoms, with a haggard and colorless face. After a good movement of the bowels, perspiration, and abundant diuresis, we see a great change for the better. Thus, even if scientific experiments which are made on small animals do not strictly confirm the existence of auto-intoxication, the great improvement in our condition after improved elimination speaks very strongly for its existence. Therefore, to prevent such a condition, we must do our best to keep these organs in good working order. In the succeeding chapters we shall consider in detail the protective and eliminative functions of these organs, and the possibilities of their improvement by hygienic and therapeutic measures. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XI. ON THE DESTRUCTION OF POISONOUS PRODUCTS THROUGH THE THYROID AND PARATHYROID GLANDS. THE earliest authorities on the thyroid gland, including Schiff and others, have shown that when this gland is extirpated in a dog, as a rule the animal develops convulsions after a few days, and subsequently dies. It is very unusual to find a longer survival after such operations. Interesting and very instructive experiments by the American specialist, Dr. Leo Breisacher, of Detroit, Mich. (formerly assistant to Professor Munk, of Berlin), have demonstrated that it is possible to keep animals, operated on as above, alive for a long time if they are debarred from meat and kept on a milk diet. A perfectly natural explanation of this prolonged survival, which had never been observed until the above experiments, lies in the fact that milk food is better adapted to animals deprived of their thyroid, and that, as Dr. Breisacher maintained, meat acts in a poisonous manner on the nervous system of dogs thus operated on. Thus we note that dogs in this condition cannot live on a meat diet. The learned savant and others noticed that dogs so fed succumbed very quickly, while at the same time he observed that no attack of convulsions ever occurred in dogs fed on milk, though many other authorities had noticed such symptoms in corresponding cases. He also observed,—and it is a most interesting point,—that dogs which improved on a milk diet, again got worse after meat or bouillon was taken and died in consequence. Of great importance also is his observation that boiled meat is not dangerous to animals thus operated upon, which he explains as being due to the fact that the extracts of meat having a toxic action are soluble in water.