( 83 ) 3 
SOME 
OBSERVATIONS 
UPON THE LOCAL PREVALENCE OF 
IDIOTISM, 
AND ITS CONNEXION WITH GOITRE. 
. 
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BY KINDER WOOD, SURGEON. 
Read Noy. 3d, 1820. 
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THE existence of an endemic Idiotism in 
parts of the globe far distant from each other, 
has been noticed by various travellers; but 
has attracted more particular attention in cer- 
tain parts of the Alps, on account of its 
greater prevalence and more decided charac- 
ter in that region. In Switzerland, France, 
Germany and Italy, as well asin this country, 
the affection is known by the term Cretinism ; 
but the appellation is more particularly es- 
teemed to apply to the Idiots of the Alps 
