Abstract
The adrenal glands were studied in people dying within 72 hrs. of a fatal stress. Autopsies were performed within 3 days of death; but all cadavers were refrigerated within 3 hrs. after death. The adrenal wt. increases rapidly after stress, reaching max. at 48 hrs. Adrenal epinephrine, ascorbic acid and cholesterol decrease at the same time. Most rapid changes occurred in surgically stressed group. Ascorbic acid and cholesterol contents are positively correlated with epinephrine content. Thyroid wt. increases within 48 hrs. to 160% original wt. No significant changes occurred in pituitary, pancreas or gonads; liver increased, but this was probably due to hyperemia and fat infiltration.