The Elbert County tribune., 1915-02-19
Copyright. 1914. by A. s. Gray,
THE PARATHYRoID GLAND.

such as the dog. the cat, the monkey
and the like for the purpose of secur-
ing experimental corroboration of
many theories because physiological
chemistry experiments along such
lines generally necessitate extensive
and dangerous surgical procedures.
And although an abundance of expert
mental material is readily obtainable.
the demonstrations OF theories enorm-
ously important to man are necessar-
lily slow, largely because of a wide
spread prejudice against considering
conditions in the lower animals an
alogous to thofe found in the human.
Schiff noted fatal results TO dogs
following removal of the thyroid in
1856 and wrote about 1t in 1853. but
the surgical profession. Again in 1884.
follo.ing reports of the removal of
human thyroids by Raverdin in 1882
and Kocher in 1888, Schiff wrote show
ing that after complete extirpation
of the thyroid all the animals died in
four to twentyseven days. These ex-
periments were confirmed by various
observers, but in many instances the
symptoms shown by the animals sub
sequent to the operation proved to be
of most variable character, NOT only
in different species, but also in diff
ferent individuals of the same species.
A few of the animals succumbed in a
few days, frequently with the accom-
paniment of commissions; others lived
for some months or even longer and
sank gradually from general lack of
nutrition. but occasionally dog would
survive the operation.
In the case OF the human being
complete removal induced a like var
iety of symptoms. a state resembling
myxedema and cretinism "a condition
of deficient development and idiocy)
besides anemia, readiness to fatigue,
a sensation of cold aud occasionally
tetany (convulsions).
The four insignificant pealike par
athyroid (near-thyroid) glands tucked
away behind the more prominent
thyroid gland for long time escaped
the eye of the anatomist, and for a
long time after they were discovered
they were given no particular consid-
GRAFTON. But careful investigation of
these baby glands by anatomist, his
tologist and embryologist proved them
to be Independent organs structurally
and functionally distinct from any
other tissues, and of vast Importance
in the economy.
Experimental investigations demon
strated the parathyroids to be vital
organs of remarkable physiological
activity in a wide range of animal
organisms. 1t was demonstrated that
rabbits deprived of these tiny bodies
died in commissions. Gradually the
significance of this observation dawned
upon surgeons and psychologists.
When the parathyroids alone are re-
moved the animal dies quickly with
acute symptoms, including convul
sions; but when the thyroids alone
are removed the animal may survive
for long period, but will develop a
condition of chronic malnutrition sim.
liar to the disease known IS myxe
dema in man.
The experimental evidence in the
case of the parathyroids tends to sup
port the view that their function con
sists of in some way neutralizing toxic
substances formed elsewhere in the
body; they are poison destroying or
gans, whose principal function most
probably is to neutralize the metabol
ic poisons particularly detrimental to
the nervous system. Therefore, after
removal of these glands, death occurs
from the accumulation of the so-callet
metabolic tetany poisons formed il
the blood and tissues, attacking the
nerves in the absence of the norma
parathyroid secretions.
| The tetany (convulsion) of pregnan
| cy and lactation, epilepsy exophthalm
| ic goiter, paralysis agitans (shakina
palsy and other conditions associated
with muscular tremor is closely identi
| fled with parathyroid insufficiency
And SO, too, is osteomalacia (morbit
softening of bone), decaying teeth ant
ricketts,. 1t is known that lack of lime
tcalcium) in the organism leads tc
tetany, hence calcium metabolism /.
doubtless influenced by the parathy
roid glands and the parathyroids il
turn are. of course, gravely infiu
enced by lack of calcium. This is ;
fact of vast importance, as later in
vestigations will prove.
Many observers have reported tina
injections of parathyroid gland ex
tracts cause the tetany to disappear
without, however, protecting the ami
NAL from fatal outcome. But in 100,
Macallum and Voegtlin reported tina
injection or ingestion of calcium salt,
completely and instantly checks tn,
symptoms of tetany arising from tn,
removal of the parathyroids aad re
stores the animal to an apparentl,
normal condition. Similar results hav,
been obtained upon human beings SUI
| ferinP from fpranv an thu rnr,Alt a