Case of cretinism in a girl, 14 years of age, in which the thyroid-gland treat ment was instituted and followed by a very slow improvement mentally and a much more marked one physically.
After undergoing the treatment at ir regular periods during about nineteen months, her temperature suddenly rose to 104° F., her pulse to 160, and respira tion became so short and thick that it was only with difficulty they could be counted. At this time she was taking 6 grains of thyroid extract daily. Medi cation was immediately stopped, but her condition remained the same, with one remission of temperature and pulse-rate, during two days, when, on January 22d, at one o'clock in the afternoon, she died. S. H. Friend (Med. News, Dec. 4, '97).
Case of cretinism; after the age of 30 years the patient's height increased nearly three inches through the adminis tration of thyroid (3 grains three times a day) only; menstruation, which had not appeared until the age of 26, then occurred scantily at intervals of three or four months, became regular and normal; four additional teeth were cut, and her intelligence was much improved. Whar ton Sinkler (Phila. Med. Jour.; Alienist and Neurol., Oct., '99).
Unpleasant effects are less commonly seen than in the myxcedema of adults. After the disappearance of the myxce dema and the establishment of the proc esses of growth and development, a very moderate dose seems sufficient: 1 or 2 5-grain tablets a week. Osier has noticed that an intermission for a month or six weeks does not seem to be followed by any striking change, but an intermission for a longer period is followed by symp toms indicating a relapse. This is clearly
shown in the cases quoted above.
Thyroidin has proven of value and might be used instead if, for any reason, the more reliable preparations cannot be employed.
Case of cretinism successfully treated with thyroidin, in a girl of 11 years, who first manifested symptoms of her condi tion at the age of three years. Her men tal condition was of a very low type. Two and one-half grains of thyroidin were given every other day, increased to 5, and still later to 7 'I, grains every day.
The improvement was rapid from the be ginning of the treatment, growth and mental development keeping up with the general progress. C. M. Anderson (Lan cet, Oct. 2, '97).
Prevention of Cretinism. — The cases observed by Gordon Paterson would tend to demonstrate that the administration of thyroid extract during pregnancy to a woman who had previously given birth to cretins would so modify her physio logical functions as to render her capable of bringing forth normal children.
Treatment of a mother in her third pregnancy, from the beginning of the third month, who had given birth to two cretins in successive pregnancies. One tabloid taken every day during the re maining seven months of the pregnancy. At no time did she suffer from any dis comfort; on the contrary, was much better throughout than she had been in the previous pregnancies. The child was a fine, healthy female, indistinguishable from any other infant in appearance. At the age of 5 months, the infant is re markably fine and intelligent and can sit up finely. She is now able to stand and to say several words and is II months old. A. Gordon Paterson (Lan cet, Oct. 2, '97).