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During the past years progress has been reported in the treatment of hypocalcemic tetany with dihydrotachysterol, as prepared by Holtz. The close relation between diseases of ectodermal structures like the lens and tetany has led to this review.
A 0.5 per cent solution of dihydrotachysterol in oil is given by mouth. The knowledge concerning latent and relative parathyroid insufficiency has been increased. Presenile cataract is frequently observed in cases of the former type. Hence the oculist may be the first one to suggest a possible association.
The hormone of the parathyroid gland regulates the distribution of calcium in the soft tissues. Lack of calcium produces the symptoms of tetany, which consist of tonic convulsions, paresthesia, trophic disturbances in the teeth, nails, hair and skin and tetanic cataract. The latent manifestation of calcium deficiency may occur in a great variety of forms, and relative hypofunction of the epithelial bodies