Goitre. Bronchocele. Enlargement of the Thyroid. 573 



usually covered by loose, movable skin. The consistency of the 

 swelling varies ; some are soft, elastic or pitting on pressure, 

 others fluctuate and still others are firm and resistant. Old cases 

 that have become calcified may even feel bony. In dogs it will 

 sometimes pulsate like an aneurism. 



Functional secondary troubles are rare in solipeds. In the 

 other animals the goitre may compress the pharynx or gullet 

 causing dysphagia, or the larynx, trachea or recurrent nerves 

 causing more or less wheezing or dyspnoea. A.sphyxiais not un- 

 common in new born sheep, and goats, and Johne and the present 

 writer haye seen cases in dromedaries. The soft embryonic 

 tracheal rings had been so compressed from side to side that respir- 

 ation became impossible, Honert records a case of asphyxia in 

 an adult horse. Cases of roaring in adult horses and mules and of 

 asphyxia in adult dogs are also on record. Warz records the ob- 

 literation of the jugular in a dog, and Cadeac cedema of the lips 

 and face. 



Tne course of goitre is usually slow, extending over years, yet 

 in young dogs it may make a very rapid progress. It will often 

 stand still for a time, and later start a new growth under a fresh 

 access of the cause. Spontaneous disappearance is rare. 



Prevention. This is especially important in localities in which 

 goitre is enzootic, and embraces careful attention to the general 

 health, the avoidance of overwork, exhaustion, indoor life, lack 

 of exercise, impure air, faulty feeding, starvation, and water from 

 the goitrous soils. Rain water is preferable. 



Treatment. First remove the various caiises, and secure the 

 best hygiene. If a change to a non-goitrous district can be had, 

 avail of it. 



Among medicinal agents iodine holds the foremost place. It 

 may be given internally as potassium iodide, alone, or along 

 with tincture of iodine, and applied locally as iodine ointment 

 rubbed into the skin, or tincture of iodine painted on the surface. 



Of surgical measures the simplest and best is the injection of 

 iodine into the diseased thyroid. The nozzle of a hypodermic 

 syringe is inserted into the gland, preferably into the largest 

 •cyst or follicular mass, and the liquid drawn off as fully as pos- 

 sible. It is then injected with the following mixture : compound 

 solution of iodine one part, distilled water two parts. The 



