STUDIES ON CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM METABOLISM IN DISEASE : I. CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM METABOLISM IN LEPROSY.

In leprosy there is a definite retention of calcium. The more advanced the stage of the disease the greater is the degree of retention. This behavior on the part of leprous individuals may be taken as an indication that the organism is in need of calcium. Magnesium may also be retained in leprosy, but .the degree of retention is much less marked than in the case of calcium. With the exception of the retention of calcium and magnesium the leprous organism responds to changes in the intake of calcium and magnesium in the same manner as normal individuals. The results of this investigation suggest that in leprosy administration of calcium may be of benefit as an additional therapeutic measure in an endeavor to retard or arrest the progress of the bone changes characteristic of the disease.