The Iron Metabolism of Hemochromatosis

The object of our study was to investigate by modern chemical and metabolic methods the iron and its associated metabolism in a typical case of hemochromatosis. In spite of the fact that there are now in the literature some seventy-two cases, nine¹of which have been reported since T. P. Sprunt's²excellent paper in 1911, only one attempt has been made to investigate the iron metabolism. Garrod³and his co-workers in 1914 published some results of their clinical and chemical studies in a typical case of hemochromatosis. Their work is, however, open to criticism and will be dealt with subsequent to our own clinical and chemical findings. AUTHORS' OBSERVATIONS The medical history and postmortem findings of our patient are as follows: Clinical Summary: Irishman, aged 54. In 1914 pigmentation of the skin; in 1916 enlargement of the liver and in 1917 glycosuria, Diagnosis of hemochromatosis confirmed by examination of the