Abstract
The following observations were undertaken for the purpose of obtaining information as to the relation between parathyroid lesion and infantile tetany and of the value of the galvanic reaction as a diagnostic sign of the disease.
In all 25 operations were done on 18 dogs, tests being carried on during August and September, 1910, and from March, 1911, to the present time.
Information was sought on the following points:
1. The limits of response to be expected in peripheral galvanic stimulation of the normal dog.
2. The influence of age upon this galvanic response.
3. The comparability of electrical response in the dog to that of man.
4. The incidence of electrical hyperirritability and tetany following injury to or removal of 1, 2, 3 or all of the parathyroid glands.
5. The time of appearance of these evidences after operation.
6. The length of time by which the electrical evidences precede the physical signs of tetany in their appearance.
7. The constant or varying qualities of the changes of response to electrical stimulation.
8. The frequency of the presence of the electrical evidences of tetany when all other signs are absent.
9. The predisposition to more sudden and severe electrical irritability, when further parathyroid loss is suffered, by animals previously subjected to parathyroid injury.
10. The influence of gestation on the galvanic response of parathyropriva animals.
Technique.-Ether anesthesia.
Three procedures or a combination of the first two were followed.
I. The parathyroid gland or glands were exposed, lifted on the point of a needle and excised or crushed.
2. A thyroparathyroidectomy of one side was done.
3. A complete thyroparathyroidectomy was done on both sides and thyroid extract given to the dog.
For the galvanic tests the peroneal nerve-muscle group was used. The negative electrode was placed on the upper abdomen, the positive over the peroneal nerve as it passes around the head of the fibula.
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