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DYSTHYROIDISM: THE RATIONALE OF ITS 
TREATMENT 
By J. MARION READ, M.D., San Francisco, Calif.* 
An explanation of. the notoriously unsatisfactory 
therapeutic results obtained in hypersecretory condi- 
tions of the thyroid is to be found in the general truth 
that rational and effective therapy must be based upon 
exact knowledge of the etiologic factors which produce 
the pathologic state. Lack of this certain knowledge 
of thyroid pathology accounts for the indefinite state 
in which the therapy of this disease exists. 
The nomenclature used in the extensive literature of 
this subject reflects this uncertainty. Hyperthyroid- 
ism, thyrotoxicosis, dysthyroidism, dyscrasia, toxic ade- 
noma, exophthalmic goitre, toxic goitre and other terms 
are used by different authors to describe the same or 
very similar clinical pictures. All of these terms have 
in common the endeavor to express a disturbance of 
function, an abnormal physiologic state, and this is, in 
truth, as far as it is safe to go. The term “dysthyroid- 
ism” best describes the condition and its use has the 
advantage that it does not commit one to any particular 
theory, especially since an open-minded attitude would 
seem to be the best to assume in the light of our present 
information. 
The basic factor necessary for a better understand- 
ing of thyroid pathology is a thorough knowledge of 
* The writer of this essay received the fifth prize of $25.00. 
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