GLANDULAR THERAPY: THE PARATHYROID GLANDS

The general results of the studies of the parathyroid glands and their relation to disease, in the last few years, are about as follows. A more detailed review, with literature, will appear shortly in "Medicine." Little has been added to our knowledge of the anatomy, embryology and histology of the glands. Even yet there is no precise knowledge of the differences in function between the ordinary cells and those with small, deeply staining nucleus and eosinophil cytoplasm. Studies concerning the function of the glands have pursued the usual plan of observing the effect of their extirpation, which is the development within a short time of tetany. It has been shown that this is especially characterized by an electrical and mechanical hyperexcitability of the nerves so that minimal impulses give rise to twitchings and spasms of the muscles. This is due to a change in the circulating blood; for, if one