STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE PARATHYROID GLANDS

Abstract

In order to determine, if possible, the exact train of events which lead to a rise in the serum calcium following the injection of a potent parathyroid extract, we undertook the present series of investigations. The subject of this study was an Italian boy on whom the diagnosis of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism was made. The criteria on which such a diagnosis can be based will be discussed below. The injection of a potent parathyroid extract results in four wellestablished changes and any theory as to the action of a parathyroid extract will have to take cognizance of these four cardinal points. They are: a. Rise in serum calcium (1). b. Rise in urinary calcium excretion (2) (3) (4). c. Fall in serum phosphorus (5). d. Rise in urinary phosphorus excretion (2) (3). Removal of the parathyroid glands results in the converse changes, i.e., a. Fall in the serum calcium. b. Fall in the urinary calcium excretion. c. Rise in the serum phosphorus. d. Fall in urinary phosphorus excretion. In addition Albright, Bauer, Ropes, and Aub (3) emphasize the fact that on administration of parathormone, the increase in urinary phosphorus excretion tends to precede the increase in calcium excretion. They further point out that the increased phosphorus appearing in