362 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



into an acid phosphate, which is very soluble in water, and even deli- 

 quescent in the air. In this way the bone loses its consistency, be- 

 comes inflamed, suppurates, and falls into a state of necrosis. As the 

 disease always commences where there are carious teeth, the transfor- 

 mation takes place directly ; the vapors coming in contact with these 

 teeth, first affect them, and then the jaw with which they are in con- 

 nection. 



GOITRE AND CRETINISM. 



THE commissioners appointed by the King of Sardinia to ascertain 

 the amount of cretinism in that kingdom have published some inter- 

 esting returns, which throw considerable light on the nature of that 

 disease. The report defines cretinism as always accompanied by cere- 

 bral defect, with a mal-formation of the cranium, a small amount of 

 muscular energy, impotence, and idiotism to a greater or less degree. 

 The result of very extensive observation tends to prove that cretinism 

 is not directly connected with goitre ; as there is a large proportion 

 of the population of the Alpine Sardinian States afflicted by goitres 

 who have no taint of cretinism. Endemic cretinism is confined in 

 Sardinia to the valleys and plains belonging to the loftiest Alpine ele- 

 vations, having for their centre the three culminating points of Monte 

 Viso, Mont Blanc, and Monte Rosa. The valleys where the disease 

 is most prevalent are the deepest, the most confined, the dampest, and 

 those possessing the smallest circulation of air and the least amount 

 of light. The largest proportion of cretins was always found in the 

 most wretched hovels, apart from other habitations, and often near 

 marshy ground, and surrounded by trees. In towns and large villages, 

 the cretins were not found spread over the various quarters, but only 

 in those localities farthest removed from commerce and civilization. 

 Taking the population of the Sardinian States at 2,651,106, the fol- 

 lowing figures show the number of persons afflicted with goitre and 

 cretinism. 



Goitres. Cretins without Goitres. 



Men, . . . 4,323 Men, . . . 1,120 



Women, . . 5,236 Women, . . .891 



Sex not specified, . 12,282 2,011 



Cretins with Goitres. 



Total, . 21,841 Men, . . . 1,953 



Women, . . 1,959 

 Sex not specified, . 1,161 



5,073 



Total number of cretins, 7,084 



Relatively to the intensity of the disease, the cretins were thus sub- 

 divided : 



Bereft of all reasoning powers, 2,165. Enjoying some power of 

 speech, but with intellectual powers limited to their bodily wants, 

 3,518. With less imperfect intellectual powers, and capable of being 

 taught trades, 424. Unclassed, 080. Total, 7,087. 



