Increased gastrointestinal permeability as a possible factor in parathyroid tetany.

Abstract

Conclusion

In a previous publication we have called attention to the possibility that our completely parathyroidectomized animals may on occasion show convulsive seizures indistingtlishable from grand ma1 attacks of idiopathic epilepsy seen in man. The same factors which predispose to such attacks in man favor the convulsive attacks in such dogs. Indiscretions of diet particularly in infants are likely to induce convulsive seizures with definite clinical indications of a gastritis and enteritis. Whereas it is desirable to prevent constipation in epileptics and promote intestinal evacuation following any dietary indiscretion, it is obvious, on the basis of the results just described, that too drastic catharsis may be more harmful than beneficial in that any violent cathartic may for reasons advanced rather induce convulsive seizures than prevent them.