| Show ic health service of the prevention of simple goiter cue case and simplicity with 1 goiter cotter prophylaxis Is accod has nearly been the uni ot of this very valuable pro lure according to a recent statement mentory men tOby by the united stated states public health service many persona persons with goiter attracted by the apparent ease with which the malady may be presented have concluded th that at what Is useful for prophylaxis ot of the simple lorm form Is 13 likewise efficient as a means ot of tr treatment estment tor for all types 1 the disease much harm lisa iva been wen done by this erroneous assumption it is necessary therefore to caution people that there are certain goiters which are made worse by the ingestion ingest lon of iodine moreover the measures that may nuy be effective in preventing simple goiter otter are in no wise useful in forestalling other and n nore ore severe forms of the disease the following questions quite naturally arise regarding Ming simple 16 go goiter fint pink shy hy should simple gol berd be prevented second secora Is the condition more than a deformity of the neck these reasonable questions may be answered by citing the experiences of certain foreign countries in which the disease prevails unduly when un checked simple goiter Is often associated socia ted with menial and physical degenerations especially deaf and the idiocy of cretinism the III effects of uncontrolled goiter are particularly evere severe in subsequent generations fortunately the affection i has not reached this degree of int intensity density in the united slates states nor Is it likely it will reach it the causes of simple enlargement of the thyroid gland may be conveniently classed clawed as immediate an and d remote the immediate cause of or this condition Is now believed to be complete absence or marked deficiency fici ency of the iodine necessary for the normal function functioning ln 9 of the gland anything which interferes with the intake or utilization of iodine available in normal quantities may likewise cause enlarge men of the organ thus infections intoxications faulty diets and such periods of stress in female life as puberty pregnancy or the change of life may be mentioned as remote or underlying causes of simple goiter it Is a matter of corn com non rion kno knowledge sledge that females are more prone prom to simple goiter than are males the most satisfactory method of administering iodine tor for the prevention gentl of simple goiter Is 13 by adapt adapting t the remedy to each person in need of it in this way accurate dosage and no nominal mirial supervision Is insured obviously this method Is costly and cumbersome reaching only a small portion of those requiring the protection in order to overcome these objections wholesale who leWe prophylaxis by the use of iodized table salt and iodized water vater supplies has been suggested while both of these methods are th theoretically sound it Is not iel et definitely known whether tb aly y are effective and at the some same time incapable of causing harm to per sons um with existing mouro u en en I 1 large ments therefore the individual method la Is preferable at the present time it Is likely that the regular con ol 01 foods naturally rich in iodine will aid in preventing colter gotter it Is known for instance that marine algae deep sea ash and cus ceans are particularly rich in iodine dine but here again the dainty anty 01 0 dosage and economic fac tors irs are involved variations in the dine iodine content of food and water probably account to a considerable extent for or the difference to in got goi ter r I 1 incidence in the united states until antu more defir defante te knowledge I 1 ie comes unes available concerning the at al ue of iodized salt lodi iodized d water and dazed foods it appears appear 3 best to in ri in goiter prophylaxis goiter r prophylaxis la is most ing g in its effects among children be teen teen the ages of 11 and 17 mose e es specially dally allY among girls even important as has been pointed out 13 the institution til tit appropriate prophylaxis before a person Is 13 bom under ader the supervision of a physician a prospective mother may receive belve protection not riot only tor for her bosn in thyroid but also for the gland of the pecked pec ted child any plan therefore that safeguards the thy rold id gland during fetal life ado lesende sence and pregnancy may coall dently antly be expected to aid in elim lasting simple goiter it has been aptly said simple goiter Is the easiest of all knogl known n diseases disease to prevent where then may one turn for explicit ad vice either the family or the local health officer Is well qualified to suggest the most effective means of pre preening enung this rather widespread affection self d bugging with iodine Is dangerous and should be shunned |
