Biologists

The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology met last week at Cleveland.

Concerning glandular rejuvenation and the theories upon which the famed Steinach operation is performed, Dr. R. M. Oslund of the University of Illinois offered evidence that, of the two types of cells produced by the reproductive glands, it is the germ cells, and not the interstitial cells, that generate the eye-brightening, step-quickening, youth-giving hormones.

Concerning paralysis from spinal injury, Dr. R. W. Gerard of the University of Chicago described severances of the spinal cord in embryo rats which mended and matured normally, encouraging experiments toward patching injured spinal cords in humans.

Dr. Harvey Gushing of Harvard (famed author of The Life of Sir William Osier) announced his discovery that the pituitary gland (at base of brain) is regulator of the body's water supply; when the gland's functioning was suspended, all control was lost over liquid secretions.

Dr. J. J. R. Macleod of the University of Toronto, co-discoverer with Dr. F. G. Banting of insulin, the diabetes specific, reported recent progress with the drug; also a possible new, cheaper source of insulin, in acorns. Hitherto it has been extracted from fish.