Abstract
In our continued investigation of the calcium in the blood we have paid particular attention to furunculosis and to diabetes. The results here published are part of over 225 determinations made on human beings with the method described by Kramer and Tisdall. 1 They state the normal is 9.2—11.1 mg. in 100 c.c. of blood.
In a previous paper 2 we showed that in a few patients with furunculosis the calcium in the blood was low. We can now add to this record the following confirmation of our former results. (The figures represent milligrams in 100 c.c. of blood). 10.8, 10.6, 10.2, 9.9, 8.7, 8.5, (J. H. 7.9), (E. B. 7.1).
In patient E. B. who had had over forty boils and who at the time the blood was taken had a large boil on the arm the calcium content was 7.1. The patient was given 0.1 gram of parathyroid per day and up to the present time an interval of five weeks, there has not been a recurrence. The calcium content was 10.3 after ten days of parathyroid therapy.
In J. H., at the time the blood was taken, there were two acute boils present on thebocly. After about seven days of parathyroid therapy there is an improvement in the condition.
These findings confirm those of Grove and Vine3 who record good results from the use of parathyroid in chronic infections.
We have made determinations of the calcium in the blood of children with pneumonia for Dr. J. D. Lyttle and obtained results varying from 5.8 to 10.9. Dr. Lyttle informed us that the amount of calcium so far as he could see had no relation to the prognosis.
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