266 DISEASES OP THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



one case a 10 per cent, solution of papayotin (vegetable pepsin) was in- 

 jected into the tumor and in forty-eight hours the digested parenchyma 

 of the gland was aspirated in the form of a milk-like liciuid. The inter- 

 parenchymatous injection of Lugol's solution of iodine are rather 

 dangerous, but the writer has found a solution of iodoform 1.0 in ether 

 and olive oil 7.0 much better. 



Recently, preparations have been made from the thyroid gland of 

 cows, thyroidin tablets (Merck) , thyradin taljlets (Knoll) ; these tablets are 

 prepared commercially, each tablet contains 0.3 of normal thyroid gland, 

 and we give 1 to 3 tablets daily. In weak animals at first give the smallest 

 dose and carefully watch the animal. In the administration of too large 

 doses you may have all the symptoms of Basedow's disease. Frequently, 

 when the treatment is continued for some time and with favorable results, 

 if the treatment is stopped, immediately the gland commences to enlarge 

 again. 



When medicinal ti'eatment has no results, or the struma is malignant, 

 surgical treatment is necessary. In cystic goitre that is well developed, 

 it can be opened, drained and filled with iodoform gauze. The malig- 

 nant and fibrous goitre must be removed, but it must always be remem- 

 bered that entire removal of the gland generally causes death in a short 

 time (see Cachexia strumipriva). Only one-half of the gland must be 

 removed, and in a case of bilateral, the one that is affected the more, as 

 it is a question if iodothyrin or any of the thyroid preparations will arrest 

 cachexia strumipriva, if it follows removal of the gland. On account of 

 great vessels, recurrent nerve etc., in the neighborhood of goitre, the 

 operation must be classed as one of the most dangerous operations in 

 the dog. 



Inflammation of the Thyroid Gland. Thyroiditis, Struma Acute. — This 

 condition is extremely rare, and is generally of traumatic origin (bites, 

 gunshot wounds, etc.). It forms large c{uantities of pus. This condi- 

 tion must not be confounded with those enlargements of the thyroid that 

 occur in young dogs and are the result of catarrh of the larynx and 

 pharynx. The periodical swelling of the thyroid that is seen in very young 

 dogs, that swells and in a few days returns to normal size, is not in any way 

 related to thyroiditis. The treatment of inflammation of the thyroid 

 gland is to treat it as a surgical wound. 



