74 ENDOCRINE GLANDS 



B. THYROID INSUFFICIENCY. 



The majority of the symptoms and accidents due to 

 hypothyroidism, obesity, migraine, menstrual disturb- 

 ances, constipation, etc., are attenuated under the 

 influence of organo therapy. In general, however, the 

 improvement is only temporary and ceases after the sup- 

 pression of the medication. In chronic rheumatism the 

 results are proportionately more successful as the rheuma- 

 tism is recent and the subject is young. 



The administration of thyroid in these cases is more 

 difficult. All authorities agree on the necessity of slowly 

 finding out by experimentation. Very small doses must be 

 used at first (0.01, 0.025 milligrammes) as these doses will 

 in some cases be sufficient to cause an improvement. If 

 the improvement does not manifest itself, then larger 

 doses are used, which in certain individuals might cause 

 symptoms due to hyperthyroidism. 



It is also advisable to discontinue the treatment 

 occasionally and have periods of treatment followed 

 by rest periods, so as to avoid accumulative effects 

 and intolerance. 



The good effects of organo therapy do not occur some- 

 times for quite a long period of time. The treatment 

 should, therefore, be continued in certain unimproved 

 cases for several months or even years. 



ACCIDENTS OF THYROID MEDICATION. SIGNS OF 



INTOLERANCE. 



The use of thyroid medication, because of its potency 

 should be watched. The extract of thyroid has a definite 

 action on the cardiac rythm and the arterial pressure. 

 Experimentally, it causes an acceleration of the heart 

 rate and a characteristic drop in blood pressure. Collapse 



