Catatan

Roughly 100 years ago, Starling coined the term hormone

to describe secretin, a substance secreted by the small intes-
tine into the bloodstream to stimulate pancreatic secretion.

In his Croonian Lectures, Starling considered the endo-
crine and nervous systems as two distinct mechanisms for

coordination and control of organ function. Thus, endo-
crinology found its first home in the discipline of mam-
malian physiology.

Work over the next several decades by biochemists,

physiologists, and clinical investigators led to the charac-
terization of many hormones secreted into the bloodstream

from discrete glands or other organs. Investigations showed
that diseases such as hypothyroidism and diabetes could

be treated successfully, for the first time, by replacing spe-
cific hormones. These initial triumphs formed the founda-
tion of the clinical specialty of endocrinology.