GOITER— STRUMA— BRONCHOCELE 337 



and the glands assume enormous proportions. Puppies are 

 often born with this .particular form or develop it during 

 the first few weeks of their lives. In many cases no marked 

 symptoms of any general disturbance are observed, the 

 animal developing apparently normal except the presence 

 of the enlarged thyroid glands. In other cases, when the 

 glandular secretion is materially interfered with, cretinism 

 and myxedema are prominent symptoms. This is evidenced 

 by marked nervous disturbances and degeneration of the 

 various tissues in the body. The animal becomes emaciated, 

 weak, a mere shadow of its former condition . Young animals 

 as a result of this glandular disturbance do not develop 

 normally, the head may be larger than normal, and other 

 parts of the body undeveloped, or vice versa. Respiratory 

 disturbances often result from the enlarged glands pressing 

 upon the trachea, or from compression of the vagus and 

 sympathetic nerves. The latter condition no doubt accounts 

 for the larger number of cases in which labored respiration 

 and spasm of the glottis are prominent symptoms. Hemi- 

 plegia laryngis is produced in a similar manner by pressure 

 on the recurrent nerve. Circulatory irregularities are not so 

 common in parenchymatous goiter. Direct examination of 

 the glands will reveal the enlargement, its smooth regular 

 outline, moderately firm consistency, and absence of local 

 heat or pain. The isthmus of the glands can be palpated, 

 except when the glands are greatly enlarged. In many 

 cases no general symptoms of deranged appetite, elevation 

 of temperature, or cachexia will be noticed. 



Diagnosis.— The diagnosis of goiter in general is quite easy, 

 but in some cases it is difficult to make a definite distinction 

 between the various forms. Goiter should be differentiated 

 from abscess, hematoma, and various cyst formations. This 

 can be done as a rule very easily after carefully palpating 

 the enlargement. In order to make a positive diagnosis of 

 the variety or form of goiter present, it is necessary to 

 consider the character of the enlargement, its consistency, 

 the condition and age of the animal. Palpation of the glands 

 to determine their form, whether regular and smooth, or 

 irregular and lobulated, and their consistency, is a very 



