354 



Kojiina 



cages already mentioned (p. 257). Kjeldahl's method was used for estimation 

 of nitrogen ; Cooke's for calcium estimation in urine and faeces. 



First Series. — In the lirst series of experiments eighteen male rats 

 were emploj^ed. They were divided into three groups, A, B, and C, six to 

 each group. From January 29 until March 10, 1916, they were fed with 

 ground-up melox (Clarke, London), to which was added a certain amount 

 of water, enough to convert it into a soft paste. Analyses of the melox 



As will be seen from Tables I., II., and III., none of the animals showed 

 any marked change in nitrogen and calcium metabolism during the first 

 or normal week. On February 8 and 9 the animals of B group were 

 subjected to parathyroidectomy and those of C group to thyroidectomy ; 

 in the latter the parathyroids were separated from the excised thyroids 

 and reimplanted in the depth of the wound, but I have no evidence that 

 the graft took. The thyroid was completely removed, including the 

 isthmus. After the animals had been killed the thyroids of Group B were 

 cut completely in series, and it was thereby confirmed that no parathyroid 

 had been left in the thyroid substance. The removed pieces were also cut 

 in series, and proved to contain the whole of the parathyroid with a small 

 piece of the adjacent thyroid substance. This of course does not exclude 

 the possibility of accessory parathyroids having been left in the animals. 



For the first few days all the operated animals were inactive, and their 

 appetite decreased. After a week the animals of B group (parathyroid- 

 ectomy) were recovering, but the condition of those belonging to C group 

 (thyroidectomy) was not so good, and the food was changed on March 11 

 to a mixture of lean meat (60 per cent.) and rusks (40 per cent), with 

 sufficient water to make a soft paste. Analyses of this diet gave the 

 following result : — 



In 100 Parts. 



(a) Fresh lean meat 

 Water 

 Ash . 

 Calcium 

 Protein 

 Fat . 



74-186 

 1085 

 0-028 



24-115 

 1-083 



1 Left after filtering off the glucose, which was obtained in making the estimation of 

 starch. 



