Effect of Sodium Fluoride on Calcium, Phosphorus, and Nitrogen Balance in Patients with Paget's Disease.

Prolonged exposure to increased quantities of fluoride, either in industry or in drinking-water, is likely to cause sclerotic changes in bones (Roholm, 1937). It has been suggested that this action could be of great benefit in the treatment of certain metabolic bone diseases. Accordingly Rich and Ensinck (1961) studied the effects of sodium fluoride 60 mg./day on the calcium balance of seven patients with osteoporosis and one with Paget's disease, and found a more positive balance in every case. A later report from these authors stated that the drug also produced a positive phosphorus balance (Rich and Ensinck, 1962). Purves (1962) treated 14 patients with Paget's disease with sodium fluoride 60 mg./day and reported considerable relief of pain in four to six