322 PARATHYROIDS AND CALCIUM METABOLISM 



4. No substance, however, has been found so far to antagonize the 

 tetany toxin and to prevent the development of the lesions of the 

 central nervous system caused by the tetany toxin. 



5. This explains why in spite of the application of Ca or Mg and 

 in spite of the suppression by these substances of the tetanic con- 

 vulsions the other S3miptoms of tetany develop and frequently lead 

 to the death of the animal. 



6. Accordingly the most important function of the parathyroids is 

 to prevent the tetany toxin, by antagonizing it, from coming into 

 contact with the central nervous system. 



The writer wishes to express his thanks to Dr. G. M, Meyer, of 

 The Rockefeller Institute, for preparing the solutions used in these 

 experiments. 



