Three cases of myxcedema in which fresh thyroid gland was given. Results excellent, but temporary. If moderate doses be given, the symptoms character istic of goitre can be made to disappear gradually. W. Pasteur (Rev. Med. de la Suisse Rom., p. 35, '94).
Unmistakable improvement in three eases of myxcedema. Good results from the use of the tabloids containing, each, 5 grains of the extract. Starr (Boston Med. and Surg. Jour., Sept. 27, '94).
Two cases of myxcedema in children, one a girl 9 years old, the other a boy 12 years old, treated with glycerin ex tract of sheep's thyroid. Improvement. Northrup (Archives of Pediatrics, Nov., In a case of congenital myxcedema treated with thyroid, diameter of red corpuscles before treatment began was 3.13 microns; after, it was 7.5 microns. Nucleated red corpuscles disappeared under treatment. Persistence of a foetal state of blood seems to coincide with a tardy development of the body. Lebre ton and Vaquez (La France MCA. et Paris Med., Jan. IS, '95).
The treatment of acquired myxcedema in the adult is almost universally suc cessful. When failure occurs, it is gener ally in experienced hands or the thyroid itself is not good. For a continuous good result treatment must be maintained, but, as the action of thyroid is cumu lative, intervals of cessation, varying in different cases, are necessary. In winter larger doses and shorter intervals are necessary than in summer. Feeling of cold an indication to renew treatment. One grain of powder cautiously increased. Meltzer (Amer. Medico-Surg. Bull., July 1, '95).
Several children suffering from myxce dematous idiocy, in whom physical and intellectual conditions were greatly bene fited by thyroid alimentation. Bourne ville (Revue de Th6r. MC2dico-Chir., Nov. 1, '95).
Sixteen cases of myxcedema treated with thyroid gland, in two of which exact estimates of metabolic processes made, metabolism of proteids found to be excessively small, proteids of food digested in a defective manner; when thyroid ingested, more nitrogen excreted and whole metabolism improved. Ver mehren (Univ. Med. Jour., Nov., '95).
After-history of the first case of oedema treated by thyroid extract. The patient, a woman aged 46, who had suf fered from myxcedema four or five years before the treatment was commenced in April, 1891, is still quite free from the disease. On two occasions, when the remedy was discontinued for some time, the symptoms partly returned. She still takes 1 drachm of thyroid extract each week. C. R. Murray (Brit. Med. Jour., Feb. S, '96).
Series of cases, some of which had been under continual and regular treatment, others in which the treatment by thyroid extract had been irregular and intermit tent. The cases in which the treatment had been continual had lost all the char acteristic features of myxcedema, and could no longer be recognized as in stances of that disease. Other eases in which the treatment had only been irregularly carried out still presented characteristic features of myxcedema.
Myxcedemie patients taking thyroid preparations complained of a great deal of pain in the back or limbs, and that it was of consideration whether those pains might not be of a gouty nature. Thomas Harris (Brit. Sled. Jour., Feb. 15, '96).
Priority claimed, as regards giving the thyroid gland by the mouth, for Dr. Howitz, of Copenhagen. Polyuria, rise of temperature, insomnia, and pains in the limbs are signs warning that the remedy should be suspended. Dupaquier (New Orleans Med. Jour., Mar., '96).
Case in which, after treatment by ex tract of thyroid for six weeks, all symp toms had disappeared and the reduction of the weight was forty pounds. This method of treatment does not influence favorably cases of ordinary obesity. All eases must be carefully studied and selected before this powerful agent is to be administered. J. Si. Anders (Med. and Surg. Reporter, June 12, '97). (See MYX(EDENIA.) Where the total removal of the thy roid has been practiced, Billroth observed no onset of tetany in 109 cases. Weiss found 23 per cent. among 53 cases, Roux none in 11S. Eiselsberg, Schiff, Wagner, and Horsley saw symptoms of tetany and of chronic convulsions in animals de prived of a more or less large portion of the thyroid gland. Tetanus com mences with trismus, and thereafter af fects the more peripheral muscles, and is remittent, not intermittent; while tetany first affects the muscles of the extremi ties, never beginning in the masseters, and is always of an intermittent type. Schilling (MUnchener med. \Voch., Feb. 21, '99).
Case of myxcedema complicated by mental symptoms in which thyroid ex tract was used without effect for two months; after this marked and con tinued improvement occurred. R. R. Leeper (Brit. Med. Jour., Jan. 27, 1900).
LACTATION.—In the various disorders of lactation the thyroid preparations have been found of signal service, espe cially as galactagogues.
Because of its specific action upon the mammary glands, thyroidin is of great value to women in whom lactation is im perfect. Hertoghe (Rev. Mad-Chir. des Maladies des Femmes, June 25, '96).
Thyroid extract is a valuable galac tagogue; it stimulates the mammary secretion, while it lessens functional activity of the uterus. Charon (Revue Medico-Clair. des Mal. des Femmes, Nov. 25, Dec. 25, '96).
Two cases in which deficiency of milk was counteracted by tabloids of thyroid gland. In one of these the milk became free while tablets were being taken, and failed as soon as they were neglected. Stawell (Intercolonial Med. Jour. of Australasia, Apr. 20, '97).
Extract of thyroid gland found to be an efficient galactagogue in certain cases, and the milk secreted under this influ ence found to be of good nutritive qual ity. Stawell (Intercolonial Med. Jour. of Aus.; Ther. Gaz., Jan. 15, '98).