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68 THE GROWTH OF BONE 



There is some relationship, not well understood, 

 between the internal secretions of the ductless glands 

 and the growth of bone. Over-secretion of the 

 pituitary gland, as we shall see, results in overgrowth 

 of the bones, and may lead to gigantism. On the 

 other hand, inadequate thyroid secretion will stunt 

 the growth of the bones, as is seen in cretinism. 

 Thyroid medication will occasionally lead to the 

 consolidation of an ununited fracture, or, what comes 

 to the same thing, the internal secretion of the 

 thyroid gland may be increased by giving iodide of 

 potassium. 



REFERENCE. 

 Macewen. — "The Growth of Bone," Glasgow, 191 1. 



