ABSTRACTS 469 



certain cases of chronic tonsilitis and systemic complications, the 

 writer's attention was directed toward the organism. In thirty-four 

 cases showing typically diseased tonsils, 97 per cent showed entamebae 

 in the crypts. Of this group, sixteen individuals were treated by 

 means of emetin hydrochloride with a disappearance of the amebae 

 from the crypts in thirteen cases (81 per cent). Emetin was adminis- 

 tered to twenty-three individuals, sixteen of whom showed an appre- 

 ciable reduction in the bulk of the thyroid. The group included seven 

 dysthyroid cases ; six were benefited in varying degrees. The improve- 

 ment under the treatment with emetin led the writers to believe that 

 an indirect relationship existed, and they concluded that "A symbiosis 

 of entamebae with appropriate bacteria, leading to the elaboration and 

 absorption into the thyroid of selective thyrotoxic poisons, is at least 

 conceivable in explanation of such relation." But they do not consider 

 this to be an exclusive explanation of all goitres. No entamebae were 

 found in the thyroid gland. — L. W. F. 



