CHAPTER in 



THE PARATHYROIDS 



Attached to the thyroid are four small organs, 

 weighing in all not more than two grains, which 

 are known as the "parathyroids" ("para" means 

 "near"). For a long time these organs were 

 not distinguished from the thyroid proper, and 

 even when discovered and described, they were 

 and by some still are regarded as part of the 

 larger gland. The concensus of opinion, however, 

 seems to be in favor of the belief that the para- 

 thyroids are independent organs with an indepen- 

 dent action all their own; and that if they are re- 

 lated to the thyroid, the relationship is no closer 

 than that of any other two ductless glands in the 

 body. For much of our knowledge of the para- 

 thyroids we are indebted to the French physiolo- 

 gist, Gley. 



Tetcmy. The removal of the parathyroids in an 

 animal, or their decay or removal in man, gives 

 rise to the condition known as "tetany" (which, 

 by the way, must not be confused with tetanus or 

 lockjaw). This "tetany" is characterized by the 



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