THE USE OF AN EXTRACT OF ADRENAL CORTEX IN GLAUCOMA

Abstract

In the January 1935 number of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Monthly there appeared an article by Dr. E. M. Josephson 1 advocating the use of an extract of adrenal cortex in glaucoma simplex. This treatment was advocated on the hypothesis that hormone serves to render the capillaries less permeable to water of the plasma. In its absence there is an increased permeability of the capillaries to water of the plasma and the tissues become water-soaked. Thus glaucoma simplex was imagined to be due to an increased permeability of the capillaries secondary to a deficiency of the adrenal cortex hormone, and Dr. Josephson argued that it might logically be cured by supplying this deficiency. One case of glaucoma simplex was reported in which Dr. Josephson observed the disappearance of a tension of 42 mm. following an injection of the extract of adrenal cortex and an improvement