The effect of excessive doses of irradiated ergosterol on the calcium and phosphorus content of the blood

IN earlier papers of this series [Harris and Moore, 1928Moore, , 1, 2, 1929]], a description has been given of some of the effects produced by large overdoses of vitamin D (irradiated ergosterol). Amongst these effects is the extensive deposition of calcium salts in various parts of the body. This finding, together with the well known effects of deprivation of vitamin D, rendered it desirable to in- vestigate the effect of overdosage of the vitamin on the calcium and phosphorus content of the blood. Hess and Lewis [1928], indeed, had noticed several cases of hypercalcaemia and three cases of abnormally high blood- phosphorus in a series of rachitic patients treated with irradiated ergosterol at the rate of 2-5 to 5 mg. per diem.