Abstract
Infections and contagious diseases were known long before their causative agents were brought to light. Of necessity this fact hindered greatly the treatment and particularly the prevention of disease. With the discoveries of protozoa, bacteria, fungi, and finally viruses, and their intimate relationship with infectious diseases, it has been more simple to devise therapeutic and prophylactic measures for the control of these agents. | Yet this was only the first great step in the right direction. Many instruments had to be developed along with as many techniques to operate them. Hundreds of theories remained to be proved or disproved, and most of all, discoveries of agents capable of combating infections, and the production and usage of such agents were of paramount importance. | Among the many and varied principles studied in this connection, three have been found to be of increasing importance. They are vitamins, enzymes, and hormones. These have been so intrinsically bound to the physiology of man, that the manner in which infectious agents affect them and, conversly, how they affect these same agents have been matters for concentrated investigation. | While all three of these factors are of the greatest necessity in the maintainance of mammalian life, only the group called hormones will be discussed here. An attempt to show the role of hormones in resistance to various infections will be undertaken. | Hormones are the end products of the endocrine glands. They are produced by specialized body cells in these glands and secreted into the blood stream where they are meted out, so to speak, to the cells of the organism which in turn are enabled to perform specialized physiological functions. | The mode of action of hormones is one of regulation of the rate or end point of biochemical or physiological reactions. Their potency is such that only trace amounts are required for the exercising of their duties.