The observations which form the basis of this paper were made during the last eight months, beginning July 1, 1919, and were prompted by a desire to compare, particularly, the epinephrin chlorid test, as described by Goetsch, with basal metabolism determinations, as advocated by Benedict, Du Bois and others, in relation to certain clinical and pathologic observations.
The questions which presented themselves were: (1) the clinical condition of the patient, as determined by a standard, carefully planned method of history taking and examination; (2) the response to the epinephrin chlorid test; (3) the basal metabolic rate as determined by oxygen consumption; (4) the pathology of the thyroid after operative removal, and (5) the clinical result of operation.
For purposes of accumulating clinical data, a special thyroid sheet was utilized. The epinephrin chlorid test as described by Goetsch was applied as we have been accustomed to apply it for the last