VISEASES OF RESPIRATORY PASSAGSS AND ORGANS. 104 
glands without ducts or outlets, and thus they correspond with 
the spleen, thymus gland, and supra-renal capsules, all of which, 
wher in active operation, are largely supplied with blood. Aa 
regards the function of each, they may be supposed to «cj arate 
eertain materials from the blood, and only differ from ordinary 
glands in not having a direct outlet. Consequently, not knowing 
the precise part which the thyroid glands play in the animal 
economy, it would be very unwise to remove them, when their 
enlargement, in some cases, amounts to little else than an “ eye- 
sore.” Their enlargement i3 generally the consequence, and not 
the cause, of disease. Men, horses, dogs, and cattle of the scrof- 
ulous diathesis, are known to have what may be termed chronic 
enlargement.of these glands, and this peculiarity would seem to 
indicate that the thyroid glands are somewhat associated with the 
lymphatic system. Then, again, we find these glands enlarged 
in cases of throat and lung difficulties—in catarrh, influenza, dis- 
temper, etc.—so that their extirpation would not remove the 
original difficulty. In such cases they decrease in size as soon 
a: the original malady ceases. The enlargement is not then of 
a permanent character. 
Treatment.—Should the enlargement appear to exist independ- 
eat of febrile symptoms, twenty-five grains of the iodide of 
potassium may be given daily, in water (which the patient will 
not refuse to drink), and a small portion of the ointment of 
iodide of potassium may be rubbed on the enlargement, with 
decided advantage: 
No. 16. Iodide of potassium...... ee 1 part. 
Lard. ...,. Se niere irene See wae ines 8 parts. 
Mix. 
On the Action of Iodine.—Iodine and its compounds are the 
principal agents used by veterinary surgeons for the treatment of 
glandular affections, and they supersede, to a certain extent, the 
preparations of quicksilver, in the form of mercury, which are 
apt to be absorbed into the system, and thus produce mischief. 
Morroy, in his “ Manual of Pharmacy,” thus alludes to iodine: 
“The action of iodine and its compounds is markedly seen on 
glandular structure, and newly-formed and abnormal growths. 
For the latter they seem to manifest a decided preference, which 
renders them so valuable as therapeutic agents. Their influence 
is that of a stimulant to the absorbents; and by means of these 
