THE LIVER AND CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM

The discovery of insulin, and the widespread interest in the phenomena with which it may be concerned have centered interest to an unusual degree on the rôle of the pancreas in carbohydrate metabolism. Before the publication of the researches of the Toronto group of investigators responsible for the recent helpful progress in this field of study, the outstanding symptom that attracted the attention of the clinician dealing with abnormal metabolism of sugars was the hyperglycemia commonly present. Now that it has become possible to combat the undue content of glucose in the blood by administration of insulin with results more dramatic in character than even the most extreme dietary prescriptions can bring about, the therapeutist has been brought face to face with the possibilities of overdosage. The "utilization" of the circulating carbohydrate may proceed so rapidly and effectively under insulin administration that the blood sugar content is rapidly brought below