THE THYROID-OVARIAN SYNDROME 97 



in whom sexual life is still active, and represents the 

 condition known as hypo-ovarism. It may last for from 

 two to five years before merging into the fully devel- 

 oped syndrome. 



As illustrative of the condition, the histories of three 

 cases are briefly cited : 



Case I. A married female, 38 years of age, with a 

 negative past and family history, and who had had 

 three normal children after uneventful labors, pre- 

 sented herself with the complaint of severe backache 

 and weakness. She had previously been treated for 

 flat feet, varicose veins, relaxed abdomen, a relaxed 

 sacroiliac joint, an arthritis and a supposedly relaxed 

 perineal floor all without result. The onset of symp- 

 toms dated back three years, and was gradual. At 

 first, the backache was intermittent; later, continuous 

 and typical. Menstruation at the onset of the back- 

 ache had been freer than usual, latterly it was scanty 

 and the periods were irregular and from two to three 

 weeks late. Her weakness dated back four months, 

 and could not be attributed to any intercurrent in- 

 fection. 



It may be said here that in all the cases reported 

 here the physical examination included a complete sero- 

 logical, cytological, and chemical examination of the 

 blood, a complete examination of the urine and feces, 

 and an exhaustive physical examination, including the 

 organs of special senses and the nervous system. Physi- 

 cal and laboratory examinations were negative except 

 as stated below. 



The patient was 15 pounds overweight; there were 

 slight hirsuties on the chin; the abdomen was pendu- 

 lous and supported by a belt; there were slight super- 

 ficial varicosities on the lower legs; and the perineal 

 floor was relaxed. The pelvic organs showed no other 

 demonstrable lesion. 



