88 ENDOCRINE THERAPEUTICS 



be such severe cases that it becomes necessary, but 

 those must be cases of neglect, where no intelligent 

 treatment has been given in the early stages. 



I had a very interesting case where all the acute 

 symptoms persisted after two partial removals. 

 This has been entirely cured by parathyroid 

 and the antiseptic treatment of the bowels. 



It is easy enough to take away thyroid tissue, 

 but how can we put it back ? In many cases 

 of this disease a time comes when the exhausted 

 thyroid gradually passes into a condition of 

 deficient function, and we have to deal with 

 signs of myxoedema ; in such cases thyroid 

 feeding may have to be continued for the rest of 

 life. It does not do to take short views. At the 

 back end of life we want all the thyroid that 

 belongs to us, and most of us need a bit more. 

 These short cuts to what appears to be a brilliant 

 success often end in a morass of difficulties from 

 which there is no way out. I earnestly beg my 

 readers to be wise physicians and patient in 

 endeavour. Spendthrift surgery should be the 

 last resource. 



In paralysis agitans parathyroid in full doses 

 has a distinct effect in lessening the muscular 

 tremors and movements, and, I think, retards 

 the progress of the disease in other ways. 



