18 GLANDS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



being markedly apparent. A histological examina- 

 tion shows many of the nerve cells to have shrunk 

 in size. 



Cretinism. If instead of removing the gland it 

 atrophies or wastes away, the symptoms are quite 

 identical. In a child where such a condition occurs 

 we find growth to be arrested. The head and face 

 look deformed; the expression is decidedly idiotic. 

 The face is pale, the hair thin, the skin dry, the 

 abdomen swollen. The development of the genera- 

 tive organs is delayed. Deaf -mutism is quite com- 

 mon. These are all symptoms of the "cretinous" 

 child, the disease being spoken of as "cretinism." 



Professor Falta describes a cretinous child, four 

 and one-half years old, as follows : "Head at birth 

 already large. Speech up to second year of life 

 consisted of the simplest words only, such as <tata/ 

 'mama' ; and since this time the child has not spoken 

 much otherwise. Head extremely large. Very low 

 forehead, eyes stand wide apart. Saddle-nose; 

 thick broad tongue that protrudes from the mouth. 

 Cheeks very thick, throat very thick and stubby. 

 Thyroid not palpable. Thick hair on back. Skin 

 of the body springy, elastic; hands and fingers 

 chubby. Abdomen much distended. The child 

 often stares into space for a long time, but at times 

 is lively and cries loudly. No trace of speech. 

 Puts all objects into his mouth. Impressions of 



