IODINE FOR GOITRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3620, 31 March 1927, Page 3

IODINE FOR GOITRE.

' INJUDICIOUS TREATMENT. STATEMENT BY HEALTH OFFICER. Wellington, March 29. Dr. Watt, Deputy-Director of General Health, to-day made an important statement regarding goitre and the use of iodine. “The injudicious use of iodine i.s accompanied by serious risk, and may transform a simple or ordinary goitre into a much more serious toxic form,” he said. “Indeed, there is'some reason to believe that actual harm has been done in the last rate and admission rate to hospital rate and admission ate to hospital from the toxic goitre group have shown a marked increase. There i.s more than a suggestion that the public are using so-called goitre remedies, without adequate medical supervision. lodised salt in the proportion used in New Zealand is, so far as is known, wholly free from risk, and can only do good. Administration in the form of lozenge containing one grain, by the school medical authorities is another form on an established basis. Apart from iodised salt and lozenges, preparations containing iodine or a salt thereof should only be taken for the prevention or cure of g@itra under the direct supervision of a medical man. The Department has been impressed with the need for controlling the use of so-called goitre remedies, and purposes in the near future to regulate the sale of such remedies.”