GOITRE INCIDENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1926, Page 3

GOITRE INCIDENCE

LOW IN AUCKLAND. WELLINGTON, February I. In connexion with the discussion ol the prevalence of goitre among school children, the Health Department states that for the past four years investigations into tin* incidence ol goitre amongst school cl'ildrcn have been cni~ I'ied out by officers ol the school medical service, working in co-operation with Professor Horens, ot the Otago Medical School.

Professor Helens states authoritatively that "Goitre is simply 'a compensatory reaction, n symptom depending immediately, if not remotely, on the lack of iodine. Whatever the ultimate cause, the immediate cause of the enlargement is iodine deficiency.” Although doubtless, therefore, overwork has a prejudicial effect upon a growing girl, the main factor to he considered in the prevention and cure of goitre is the adequate supply of iodine for the individual. There are at present in the Dominion approximately some 10,000 children receiving small doses of iodine preparation. School medical officers, as a routine part of their work when visiting a school, report upon the incidence of goitre therein, and arrange for treatment. As far as is indicated, the whole question is kept constantly under review and is the subject of several special reports.

During the latter part of 1025 'an officer of the Health Department visited the schools throughout the* Dominion with a view to preparing a comprehensive report on the subject of goitre. This report has just come to hand, and as the mater is of special interest to the Auckland Hoard, it may he mentioned that in the Auckland Province the incidence of goitre is low as compared with that of other parts of the Dominion.