Thymus Gland.
This organ having been accidentally substituted for thyroid in a case of Owen's and benefit procured, it was found to produce analogous effects in other cases. This led Svehla to take a series of experiments to determine its physiological action. Injected into the femoral vein, thymus extract gave rise to a fall of blood-pressure, due to weakening or paralysis of the strictors, and increase of pulse-rate, due to direct influence on the heart. When large doses were given there was ment, followed by dyspncea and collapse, ending in death, with post-mortem dences of asphyxia. A certain analogy was thus shown to exist with the ological action of thyroid, and this was further emphasized by the observations of Baumann, who found that the thymus contained iodine, as does thyroid, though in comparatively small quantities. In the urine of dogs fed with thymus gland has been found a peculiar stance that has the formula mately of and which is believed possibly to be an imidopseudouric acid: that is. an oxidation-product of imido hypoxanthin. It is also possible that it is allantoin, and this seems to agree with some of its chemical reactions. It is important as perhaps contributing to the explanation of the form of uric acid derived from nuelcinie acid. Minkowski (Centralb. f. innere Med., May 14, '98).
Dose.--The doses of thymus adminis tered have been much larger than would be prudent in the case of thyroid. Of the gland proper the doses have ranged from 2 drachms to 1 ounce, given three to five times a week; while the extract has been given in doses ranging from 30 to 60 grains.
Therapeutics.—Young sheep's glands should invariably be used; the glands of older sheep, having undergone fatty transformation, are, therefore, worthless.
GOITRE.—In this disease thymus seems to produce the same effects as thyroid gland, when administered in sufficiently large doses. In fact, from the results obtained it would appear that the thymus is but a thyroid six times weaker in cura tive activity.
Three eases in which diet of thymus produced good results: 12 to 15 (5 grains) tabloids given daily. Cunning ham (N. Y. Med. Record, June 15, '95).
In the majority of the cases observed, a reduction in the size of the gcitre and an amelioration or removal of unpleasant symptoms has taken place. Thymus is to be preferred to thyroid feeding. G. Reinbach (Mittheilungen aus den Crenz gebeitcn der Med. u. Chin, 13. 1, H. 2).
Ten cases of goitre treated with thy mus gland, the ages ranging between 13 and 2S years. From 2 '/, drachms to '/, ounce of raw sheep-thymus were given on bread three times a week and in creased to 7 drachms. In one case of small goitre complete recovery was ef fected within two weeks. In six eases there was a marked reduction. In two cases there was slight improvement: one was not benefited. Mikuliez (Berliner klin. Woch., Apr. 22, '95).
Thirty cases of goitre treated with thymus extract. In twenty decided re duetion followed, and the general symp toms were improved. Among these were a number of cases but slightly improved or aggravated by thyroid treatment. A complete cure was obtained in but two cases. Mikuliez (Centralb. f. Chir., p. 929, '96).