The total and diffusible calcium of serum and the calcium of cerebrospinal fluid in human cases of hypocalcaemia and hypercalcaemia

Abstract

CASES of hypocalcaemia may be divided into three groups. Firstly, there are the various types of low-calcium tetany. Secondly, there are cases of hypocalcaemia associated with low serum-protein, in which no symptoms of tetany occur; this condition may be present in nephrosis, chronic nephritis with oedema, kala-azar and some other conditions. Thirdly, there are cases of chronic nephritis with uraemia, in which the inorganic phosphorus of the serum is increased, and in which the serum-proteins may be normal or only moderately reduced; in some instances neuromuscular irritability and carpopedal spasm occur in addition to uraemic manifestations.