THE FUNCTION OF THE PARATHYROIDS

Abstract

Though the parathyroids have been known for more than 40 years, their function is still unknown.In 1909 MacCallum and Voegtlin (1) formed the theory that the parathyroids control the calcium metabolism and by doing so exert an influence on the nervous system.This theory was based upon two important findings in parathyroidectomized dogs; namely (a) the beneficent action of calcium salts on the symptoms, and (5) the decrease in the calcium content of blood and tissues.They could also demonstrate an increased excretion of calcium in the first days following the operation and they maintained that all the symptoms were due to calcium deficiency.Voegtlin and MacCallum (2) later abandoned this view and returned to the previous theory that a poison is the cause of the symptoms following parathyroidectomy.The theory was abandoned by its authors chiefly because a rather concentrated solution of sodium chloride in large doses acted on the symptoms in the same way as calcium salt,s (3), contrary to what should be expected according to the experiments of Loeb (4), and because calcium salts, though checking the nervous symptoms for some time, failed to prolong the life of the parathyroidectomized animals.The first obstacle against accepting the theory is probably removed by the recent work of Loeb (5) who showed that all * These studies were aided by a grant from the Wright fund and the Freia Chocolate Factory's fund for medical research of the University of Christiania.