152 
RESULTS OF EXTIRPATING THE THYROID GLAND. 
is associated with oedema in different portions of the body (myxoedema) 
and with sensorial disturbances (cretinismus). But the exact relation 
these have to disease or removal of the thyroid is not yet explained. 
Yon Eiselsberg observed the disease in lambs. Two months after extirpa¬ 
tion of the swelling, the animals’ growth became checked. They remained 
much smaller, weaker, and of less weight than the control animals. The 
anterior portion of the head was shorter, the posterior portion enlarged, the 
abdomen distended, the testicles atrophied, the wool badly developed. One 
of the sheep suffered from catarrhal attack of the lungs, but von Eiselsberg 
regarded this as an accidental symptom. The temperature was 1*5 to 2 
degrees Cent, below normal. Yon Eiselsberg noted similar symptoms in a 
goat whose thyroid had been removed at the age of six weeks. 
It was formerly believed that this gland was a secretory organ, which could 
be dispensed with without danger to life. But Griitzner demonstrated that, 
although one-twentieth the size of the brain, the thyroid has as large arterial 
vessels. Horsley testifies to its important secretory functions, and points out 
that myxoedema does not appear, if half or a part of the gland be left. Others 
(Munk) believe that the disturbances caused by extirpation result from 
unfavourable wound healing, or from injury to the vagus or sympathetic, and 
moreover are aggravated by feeding the patients on flesh. Breisacher tested 
this question by a series of experiments on dogs, and found that the strumous 
symptoms, especially the clonic and tonic muscular contractions, and respira¬ 
tory cramp receded, when the animals were restricted to milk diet; but 
reappeared when they were again fed on meat and soup ; boiled meat, how¬ 
ever, appeared not to be injurious. 
Other dangers of extirpation are the risk of injuring the recurrent 
nerve or vagus, and of causing dangerous bleeding. But operations are 
sometimes successful. Massot removed the thyroid in two horses without 
bad results, and in one of them the dyspnoea consequent on pressure 
disappeared after operation. Holler once performed the operation in a 
horse without the results described, but operating on dogs he repeatedly 
observed cachexia strumipriva. Bemoval of a portion of the gland is, 
however, not attended with serious consequences. Haubner stated that 
lambs affected with goitre were sometimes born dead, sometimes died 
soon after birth. A lamb operated on by Haubner remained healthy, 
though for how long is not said. Carcinomatous goitre can be recog¬ 
nised by the uneven, knotty character of the surface of the swelling. It 
is very dangerous. 
Treatment. Medicines administered internally, or applied by infric¬ 
tion, are usually without success ; but iodide of potassium may be pre¬ 
scribed or used as ointment. Painting with tincture of iodine has been 
recommended, but I have only seen this serviceable when the thyroid 
was acutely swollen in consequence of disease of the pharyngeal mucous 
membrane. Siedamgrotzky suggests infriction with iodoform and unguen- 
tum hydrarg. Truelsen recommends rubbing in three times a day an 
ointment of 1 part of pure iodine, 5 parts iodide of potassium, 30 parts 
sapo virid,, and gives internally iodide of potassium and nitrate of 
