PATHOLOGICAL ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY 



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theory of the development of paralysis agitans through insufficiency of 

 parathyroid function. 



Thompson (a) studied the parathyroids in nine cases of paralysis agi- 

 tans. The parathyroids, from three to five in number, were found in all 

 cases. He was unahle to determine any particular lesion in these cases 

 which would differentiate the conditions found in the parathyroids from 

 those observed in cases not suffering from paralysis agitans. The glandules 

 were slightly smaller than usual and there was some increase in the 

 stroma of the glands. As this condition is commonly met with in elderly 

 individuals, no significance can be attached to the finding of early fibro- 

 sis, slight atrophy and fatty change. In fact, microscopical study of the 

 glandules in Thompson's cases showed no variation from what might be 

 expected in normal individuals of this age. Similar negative findings 

 in three cases were reported by Erdheim. Harbitz reported a case of 

 paralysis agitans possessing symmetrical tumors of the parathyroid which, 

 clinically, caused no local disturbance. He does not believe that it had 

 an etiological relation to the disease. 



