Experiments with an active extract of parathyroid.

Abstract

Recently, H. W. C. Vines has shown that calcium in normal unclotted blood is present in two forms. He found that approximately one-third of the calcium is present in a combined or non-ionized state, while two-thirds are in the ionized form. He also observed that chronic septic infections do not heal rapidly unless the ionic calcium is increased. Vines observed that the administration of dried parathyroid increased the relative ionic calcium and lead to rapid healing of ulcers.

The present authors have also observed similar effects, using an extract of parathyroid made in the following manner: 30 gm. of finely divided ox gland are boiled in 500 cc. of dilute hydrochloric acid (10 parts per thousand), cooled, filtered, and then made up to 500 cc. again. This extract which we know as hydrochloric × seemingly contains the active principle of the parathyroid. Dogs which had been completely parathyroidectomized and which were showing symptoms of tetany, recovered. Sometimes on injection, the symptoms increased at first before recovery took place.

This extract we have also found beneficial in the treatment of chronic inflammations such as gastric, duodenal, and varicose ulcers as well as cystitis or osteomyelitis.

From this hydrochloric × the active constituent may be precipitated by phosphotungstic acid, but we have not been able to redissolve the active constituent from this precipitate.