Sixty cases of benign parenchymatous goitre, without selection, treated with thyroid tabloids, 2 daily to adults, 1 to children. Duration of treatment from three to four weeks, on the average. In young children complete recovery the rule. In adults recovery rare and less common in proportion to age. Complete return of thyroid to normal size not to be expected later than twentieth year. Bruns (Amer. Jour. Med. Sciences, May, '95).
Warning against too sanguine views as to success of thyroid treatment. Kocher (London Lancet, July 20, '95).
Cases treated by desiccated thyroids. Size rapidly reduced, though treatment not maintained for a sufficient time to establish final recovery. Remedy not free from danger if given in unlimited quan tities and over too great a length of time. Illustrative case. E. Fletcher In gals (Medicine, Aug., '95).
Among twenty-one cases of goitre, in eleven, of from 2 to 17 years of age, there was considerable diminution, but not complete disappearance, of the tumor; in five, from 12 to 21 years of age, the amel ioration was slight, and in five eases there was no result. Knopfelmacher (Wiener klin. Woch., Oct. 10, '95).
[In a case of goitre under my care, in which thyroid tablets were given, the latter had to be discontinued on account of untoward symptoms: accelerated and weak pulse with tendency to syncope, accelerated respiration with dyspncea, increased diuresis, and, also, pronounced anorexia, which disappeared upon the withdrawal of the thyroid extract. C. SUMNER WITHERSTINE, Assoc. Ed., An nual, '96.] Nine children suffering from parenchy matous goitre healed with Merck's tab loids containing 5 grains of thyroidin.
Children under two had from to 1 tabloid daily during the first week, and from 1 to 2 tabloids daily afterward; older children, after the first week, as many as 4 or 5 tabloids allowed daily. Marked diminution in the size of the gland, the improvement commencing after about three days' treatment. and reaching its maximum in three weeks.
In all the cases treated the rapidity of the heart's action was increased; but, on the discontinuance of treatment, the action again became normal. Cautious use of the drug advised, beginning with small doses, and gradually increasing them. If the heart's action becomes
irregular, suspension of treatment. Do browsky (Arch. f. Kinderh., B. 26, '96).
Seventy-eight cases treated with thy roid. In all the cases in which the treat ment was tolerated and continued for several weeks, diminution of the goitre was attained. Best results noticed in the soft, simple, hyperplastic goitres, espe cially in those occurring about the age of puberty. Cystic goitres became more superficial through the atrophy of the hyperplastic tissues, and their enuclea tion was facilitated. Angerer (Mtin &eller med. Woch., p. 93, '96).
Thyroid gland is best adapted for the form known as struma parenehymatosa. Definite cure is rarely observed and only in young subjects. The results are satis factory in 63 per cent. of cases, the goitre lessening in size. In 30 per cent. of the eases the treatment is absolutely value less. When goitre has undergone sec ondary degenerations, such as colloid or cyst- formation, the treatment is useless. Serafine (Revue de Thor., July 15, '97).
Case of weak, cachectic newborn infant presenting a marked bilobed goitre. The mother, herself goitrous, was in excellent health, but mentally weak. The treat ment of the mother consisted in daily administration of 22 grains of thyroid body. At the end of one month and a half her goitre had almost totally dis appeared, and in the infant the cure was complete. Mosse (Revue Men. des Mal. de l'Enfance, June, '98).
Thyroidism in an infant from adminis tration of thyroid extract to the mother, a woman, aged 34, who had exophthalmic goitre. On December 24th thyroid ex tract (two 5-grain tabloids daily) w as administered to the mother. On January 1st the child had been sweating profusely for several nights. It was looking ill and was sleepless. It had vomited every morning for three days. The extract was consequently stopped for five days. The child immediately improved, and on January 4th was quite well. On the ninth thyroid extract NA as again given to the mother. The next day the child vomited, was again restless, did not look well, and sweated profusely, etc. The child was weaned and after this remained perfectly well. Byrom Bramwell (Lan cet, Mar. 18, '99).