1884.] On the Function of the Thyroid Gland. 



7 



The temperature, slightly raised by the operation, becomes variable, 

 and then after about twenty-five days, gradually sinks far below the 

 normal, and the animal dies comatose. 



It is proved by examination of the parts that in the operation the 

 thyroid gland only was removed, the surrounding structures being 

 uninjured ; consequently the thyroid gland may now be looked upon 

 as being of extreme importance in the animal economy, and especially 

 in relation to three points — 



(1.) The nutrition of the nervous system. 



(2.) The existence of mucin in the body. 



(3.) The composition of the blood. 



The practical surgical question as to whether the cretinous symp- 

 toms following thyroidectomy are due to — 



(1.) Chronic asphyxia, as believed by Kocher; 



(2.) Injury of the sympathetic and other nerve trunks ; 



(3.) Arrest of function of the thyroid gland ; 

 is almost settled in favour of the third view, and with it also the 

 pathology of Myxcedema. 



3rd December, 1884. 



Analysis of Tissues (Monkey) Healthy and after Thyroidectomy. 

 By Dr. W. D. Halliburton, B.Sc. 



Amount of Mucin per 1000 parts of the tissue. 



Normal. 



Skin and sub- 

 cutaneous 

 tissue. 



Tendon. 



Muscle. 



Parotid gland. 



Submaxillary 

 gland. 



Blood. 



No. la. Healthy monkey (killed) . 

 No. 9. „ „ „ . 



•89 

 •9 



•39 

 "5 





 







•01 





 



Abnormal, after Thyroidectomy. 



» 5 „ 49 „ 



„10 „ 7 „ 



3-12 

 2*-3 



2-55 

 2-4 







trace 

 



•72 

 1-7 



6-0 

 33 



•35 

 trace 



•08 

 merest 

 trace 



The tissues were minced finely, and kept under alcohol for one week ; the mucin 

 then was dissolved out by baryta-water and reprecipitated by acetic acid. The 

 precipitate from known weights of tissue was thoroughly washed, and then dried at 

 100° C, to give the quantitative result. The chemical research was carried out in 

 the Physiological Laboratory of University College, London. 



