MYSTERY TO ELUCIDATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1918, Page 7

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, says The Journal of Public Health. The frequency with'which goitre, manifested by an enlargement of the neck, is observable—more particular ly in gjrls and women—at the present day cannot be altogether aacri'bable to the present fashion of open neckwear Many medical men believe that' there is, at least in somo 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 Now Zealand is concerned, the Minister is satisfied the 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 tlie problem demands, ',r,'n;

For ibp present, steps are ■being taken by the ■'Acting" Chief; HealtltiOfficer and the District Health" Office,.!; Auckland, working In conjunction l with fiDr; : Drennan, Professor of Pathology at- the Otago Medical School, which twill, is is hoped, help to elucidate soma'bfvtte mysteries of this disease nowaffefetriflg teee families in one district S&l the; Nwth; Hand. . In time the Minister hopes to him .-the fullest tfthcr,' matter obtaine<l J by the Public. Health Department's medical officßMj ixo.'enable a"definite opinion to ba: foimedjas? to the provaler.ee of this disease to oirr populatibn as compared with that of the Old Country (where, as most people know,, the term "Derbyshire neck" denotes it* association with a.definite district); and more particularly to define the precautions to ho taken to prevent the occurrence of goitre, and the possibility of stiJJ more serious manifestations, such aa ''cretinism," in succeeding genera-, tions.