MYSTERY TO ELUCIDATE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 77, 26 December 1918, Page 4

MYSTERY TO ELUCIDATE

PREVALENCE OF GOITRE.

No doubt many persons feel concerned as to the prevalence of goitre, or enlargement of the thyroid 'gland, amongst New Zealand inhabitants, savs the "Journal of' Public Health." Tne frequency with which goitre, manifested by an enlargement of the neck, is observablemore particularly in girls and women— at the present day cannot be altogether ascribable to the present fashion of open neckwear.. Many medical men believe that thero i 6, at least in some districts in 'New Zealand,, an unusual ■ prevalence of this trouble—a disfigurement which may lead to the need for surgical attention. The causation of goitre is still a matter of doubt. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the Minjster is satisfied tho disease is sufficiently prevalent to demand thorough investigation as to its causation and prevention, but war activities at present do not allow of the Health Department entering upon such a detailed investigation as the problem

demands. I For the present, steps are being taken by the Acting Chief Health Officer and the District Health Office, Auckland, working in conjunction with Dr. Drennan, Professor of Pathology at the Otago Medical School, which will, it is hoped, help to elucidate some, of the mysteries of this disease now affecting three families in one district in the North Island. In time tho Minister hopes to have the fullest possible statistical and other matter obtained b.v the Public Health Department's medical officers, to enable a definite opinion to be formed as to the prevalence of this disease'in our population as compared with that of the Old Country (where, as most Reoplo know, the term "Derbyshire neck" denotes its assbciation with a definite district); and more particularly to define the precautions to bo taken to prevent the occurrence of goitre, and the possibility of still more serious manifestations, such as "cretinism." in succcedirig generations.