THE THYKOID 35 



items can be safely left to the discretion of the 

 medical adviser. 



So far attempts to find some direct and simple 

 cure for exophthalmic goiter have failed. The 

 "rest" cure in many cases, and removal of part of 

 the gland in a number of cases, have proved suc- 

 cessful. 'Other methods of "cure" include the pro- 

 duction of a substance that will act as an anti- 

 toxin, and neutralize the excessive quantity of 

 hormone present; the application of X-rays; and 

 the administration of extracts of parathyroids or 

 the thymus gland, or of calcium salts. 



It may not be amiss to point out at this time 

 that the psychic factor in the treatment of hyper- 

 thyroidism cannot be overlooked. Psycho-analysis, 

 handled by pseudo-scientists, has become a laugh- 

 ing stock, just as glandular treatment and the gen- 

 eral subject of the ductless glands threatens to 

 become ; but psycho-therapy, practised by the skill- 

 ful physician, is at times of inestimable aid in put- 

 ting the patient on his feet. 



Metabolism studies. Cases of hyper- and hypo- 

 thyroidism have fairly well-recognizable symptoms. 

 These have already been discussed. But we have 

 to describe a method which helps the diagnosis a 

 great deal. This depends upon the fact that the 

 thyroid is par excellence the organ that regulates 

 the metabolism of the body. 



But before we go any further we must explain 



