222 THE DISEASES OF THE PARATHYROID GLANDS 



Underhill and Blather-week show that during the tetany which develops 

 after thyroparathyroidectomy, glycogen disappears entirely from the liver 

 and the sugar content of the blood is markedly lowered or may even be re- 

 duced to zero. It is probable that this action may be ascribed to the lack 

 of parathyroid tissue, since the phenomena may be observed when all the 

 parathyroids are removed and some thyroid tissue remains. 



Poll and Turnure have transplanted a parathyroid into the preperitoneal 

 tissue behind the sheath of the rectus muscle, in a case of tetany due to 

 supposed operative removal of the parathyroids, with apparently good 

 results, including cessation of the tetany. 



Following the idea suggested to him by Meltzer's experiments, Berend 

 treats, with unusual success, cases of tetany with subcutaneous injections of 

 magnesium sulphate solution (15.20 cgm. magnesium sulphate per kilogram 

 of body weight). The electrical hyperirritability and the carpopedal spasm 

 diminish, and there is a shortening of the disease's duration. The treat- 

 ment is combined with a salt-free diet. An 8% solution of magnesium 

 sulphate should be used, and the water for dissolving it should be freshly 

 distilled. 15.20 c.c. of this solution is the usual dose for a young infant. 



REFERENCES 



Simpson (S.). The influence of age following thyroparathyroidectomy. Proc. Soc. 

 Experim. Biol. and Med., Vol. IX, 1911-1912, pp. 2-4. 



Mustard (H. J.). A study of certain tonic and reflex nervous impulses as factors in 

 parathyroid tetany. Am. J. Physiol., 1911-1912, XXIX, 311-316. 



Hoskins (R. G.) and Wheelan. Parathyroid deficiency and sympathetic irritability. 

 Am. J. Physiol., Vol. XXXIV, No. 3, June i, 1914. 



Underhill (G. P.) and Blatherweck (N. P.). The influence of thyreopurathyroidec- 

 tomy upon the sugar content of the blood and the glycogen content of the liver. J. Biol. 

 Chem., Vol. XVIII, No. i, June, 1914, pp. 87-90. 



Pool and Turnure. Annals of Surgery, Vol. LVI, 2, 1912; Vol. LVI, Nov., 1912, 

 No. 2, pp. 804-807. 



Berend (N.). Die Magnesiumsulfat behandlung der spasmophilic Krampfe. Monat- 

 schrift fur Kinderheil Kunde Bd. 12. Originalien. 1914, pp. 269-331. Also, Ver- 

 handlungen der Gesellschaft deutscher Naturforscher und Arzte. Pt. 2, 2nd half, 1913, 

 p. 596-598. 



