92 On Idiotism. 
degree; and if healthy females still marry 
into this family, the intellectual feebleness wilk 
disappear. If these statements are really 
founded upon accurate observation, they are 
highly curious, and establish the connexion 
betwixt goitre and cretinism; but there is 
some reason to doubt their accuracy. If 
such a decided and perceptible connexion 
existed, idiotism which is stated to be the 
effect should be observed wherever goitre 
is found prevalent, but this is contrary to 
fact; goitre is found in many parts of Eng- 
land without any endemic idiotism; we are 
told by (a) Dr. Reeve that this is the case in 
the county of Norfolk; and at Duffield 
where (6) Pilkington notices so very exten- 
sive and prevailing a goitre especially among 
the females, he does not even allude to the 
existence of idiotism. (c) Dr, Bright found 
goitre extensively near Perlac in lower Hun- 
gary, but does not speak of any deficiency of 
intellect existing, and (d) Marsden describes 
goitre in the same manner, in{the island of Su- 
matra, without any allusion to the existence 
(a) Some account of Cretinism, by Henry Reeve, M. D. see Edinb. 
Med. and Surg, Journal, Vol. 5, p.31. 
(b) View of Derbyshire, by J. Pilkington. Vol. 1. Chap. 2nd. 
(ec Bright’s Travels in Hungary &c. &c. 4to. 
(d) History of Sumatra. p. 48. 
