VIOSTEROL (IRRADIATED ERGOSTEROL) IN TREATMENT OF PARATHYROID TETANY

Abstract

In some previous work I¹found that cod liver oil raised the serum calcium and relieved tetany in parathyroidectomized dogs. In a further study cod liver oil and yeast was used to relieve tetany, and because of the favorable results the treatment was applied clinically to three patients and a report²was made. Viosterol (irradiated ergosterol), having more potent vitamin D action than cod liver oil, was substituted in the treatment of experimental parathyroid tetany in dogs.³The results were such that it was then given to the patients previously reported on instead of the cod liver oil. Since that time two other patients have been added, so that this report includes five patients who are receiving viosterol. Tetany in four of the patients was the result of parathyroid deficiency following subtotal lobectomy. Two of these developed tetany soon after operation, while the other two developed symptoms