[139]
The positive action of semen, or rather of the testicular products, has
been much investigated during recent years, and appears on the whole to be
demonstrated. The notable discovery by Brown-Sequard, a quarter of a
century ago, that the ingestion of the testicular juices in states of
debility and senility acted as a beneficial stimulant and tonic, opened
the way to a new field of therapeutics. Many investigators in various
countries have found that testicular extracts, and more especially the
spermin as studied by Poehl,[140] and by him regarded as a positive
katalysator or accelerator of metabolic processes, exert a real influence
in giving tone to the heart and other muscles, and in improving the
metabolism of the tissues even when all influences of mental suggestion
have been excluded.[141]
As the ovaries are strictly analogous to the testes, it was
surmised that ovarian extract might prove a drug equally valuable
with testicular products. As a matter of fact, ovarian extract,
in the form of ovarin, etc., would seem to have proved beneficial
in various disorders, more especially in anaemia and in troubles
due to the artificial menopause. In most conditions, however, in
which it has been employed the results are doubtful or uncertain,
and some authorities believe that the influence of suggestion
plays a considerable part here.
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