A PLETHYSMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE THYROID GLAND OF THE DOG

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Abstract
A method of plethysmography of the thyroid gland is described. The effects of various drugs on the volume of the thyroid gland were studied. The effects of epinephrine, nicotin, nitroglycerin, pilo-carpin, acetyl cholin, atropin, pituitrin, rattlesnake venom, thyroid extract, and thyroxin are explicable on a circulatory basis. Strophanthin, KI, and caffein sodium benzoate have little, if any, effect. The effects on volume of the thyroid gland are recorded following stimulation of the vagus and sympathetic nerves in the neck and thorax. These experiments have demonstrated that the vasoconstrictor fibers pass to the thyroid gland by way of the sympathetic nerves. Following stimulation of the homolateral vagus nerve in the thorax, before its juncture with the sympathetic trunk, or following stimulation of the opposite vagosympathetic trunk, there is produced an increase in the volume of the thyroid gland. This was considered to be secondary to increased flow of blood consequent on the concomitant rise in blood pressure. The opportunity often presented itself for studying the reactions of hypertrophied glands to the stimuli mentioned. The results were identical with what occurred in non-goitrous animals. As might be expected, changes in volume were correspondingly greater in large goitrous glands. In several instances the authors'' experiments were repeated on animals that had been rendered hyperthyroid by injecting thyroxine, or by feeding desiccated thyroid gland. The results were unaffected.

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