The experiments here reported were undertaken in an attempt to demonstrate functional variations of the thyroid. From an analogy with other glands of the body, such variations probably exist in different individuals, and also in the same individual under different conditions. Heretofore there has been no method sufficiently dependable to follow even the extremes of activity of the gland, not to speak of the many possible intermediate stages. Until a satisfactory method is developed, no definite knowledge is obtainable of the true character of the various conditions supposedly referable to abnormal states of the thyroid gland.
One of us1 has for a considerable time been interested in the development of a biological test for the thyroid secretion. Attempts are being made to use the cretin rabbit for this purpose, yet by the technic so far employed satisfactory results have not been obtained.
The Hunt acetonitril test, though