PREVALENCE OF GOITRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2775, 23 August 1924, Page 3

PREVALENCE OF GOITRE.

IMPORT AN T INVESTIGATION S IN DOMINION SCHOOLS

THOUSANDS BEING TREATED,

The following statement respecting goitre was made in tlie House by the lion. Sir M. Pomare (Minister for Health) : ‘•lnvestigations into the incidence of goitre carried out. in association with Professor Hercus, Otago Medical School, are being continued. Cases are recorded with notes as exactly as pos- . sible of age, sex, incidence, family history, and environmental factors. “It is now possible tq map out the chief areas in New Zealand where this condition is endemic. Such areas are found to be those where the soil has a low iodine content. Facilities are now being provided by which affected children in the schools of endemic areas may obtain treatment. This consists in the administration of minute doses of-potassium iodide weekly, advice being also given as- to general .health habits. Parental consent is always obtained before treatment is--undertaken. “Results so far have been very encouraging,” continued the Minister. “Some thousands of children are now • receiving treatment, the numbers being increased as school medical inspection is carried out in various districts. In Britain, Switzerland, and the United States of America this method of combating goitre among school children has been practised for some years, and is recognised ,as being beneficial.”