Henry Harrower

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Henry Robert Harrower, MD (April 30, 1883 – January 2, 1953) was an early and controversial figure in endocrinology. He wrote books and many papers and helped start the Association for the Study of Internal Secretions, now The Endocrine Society, editing the first two editions of its journal Endocrinology. He promoted organotherapy, the practice of taking animal glands or other body parts by mouth as therapy, and he made money from it. Endocrinologists rejected organotherapy, arguing that only the thyroid gland could have a meaningful effect when eaten. Harrower’s advocacy faced heavy criticism, and the movement faded after his death. He was born in London and at age 20 moved to Battle Creek, Michigan to study at the American Medical Missionary College after three years in Scandinavia as a masseur. At a Seventh-day Adventist college he learned and adopted the ideas of John Harvey Kellogg. He traveled between France, Italy, and the United States, where he developed an interest in organotherapy. In 1912 he published Practical Hormone Therapy. He later settled in Glendale, California and started The Harrower Laboratory and Clinic.