Efficiency and Advantages of Calcium Gluconate as a Therapeutic Agent. ∗

Conclusion

1. Since on the basis of the experience of many investigators of parathyroid tetany it is possible to state that the average period of survival of complete parathyroidectomy in dogs is about 3-5 days, we feel justified in concluding that calcium gluconate (Sandoz) is fully as efficient in preserving the lives of cornpletely parathyroidectomized dogs, in equimolecular doses, as is calcium lactate. 2. In comparing the experience of investigators using calcium lactate for the control of tetany with ours, it seems warranted to state that calcium gluconate in the doses administered appears to have a more marked tendency to produce a severe diarrhea in parathyroidectomized dogs than does calcium lactate. This effect may offset the advantage of tastelessness as compared with bitter calcium lactate. 3. We are able to confirm the finding of Rothlin, and others that calcium gluconate is practically non-irritating when administered subcutaneously and intramuscularly, whereas calcium lactate in equivalent equiniolecular doses similarly administered to the very same animal causes severe inflammation and necrosis.