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OBSERVATIONS ON THYROID STUDIES IN NEW ZEALAND
Author(s) -
HERCUS CHARLES E.
Publication year - 1957
Publication title -
australasian annals of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0571-9283
DOI - 10.1111/imj.1957.6.1.5
Subject(s) - medicine , iodised salt , endemic goitre , thiouracil , goiter , thyroid , causation , thyroid function , iodine , environmental health , pediatrics , endocrinology , political science , law , chemistry , organic chemistry
Summary Thirty‐five years ago we commenced a study on the causation and prevention of thyroid disease in this country. The first reports of endemic goitre were made in 1888, and in 1920 the relationship to low iodine environment was reported. After some preliminary failures prophylaxis with iodized salt was successful in 1940. The goitrogenic factor in certain foodstuffs was studied in 1928 and subsequently, and this work was the forerunner of the therapeutic use of thiouracil. Currently we are studying thyroid function by means of radioactive iodine, and experience in its use in diagnosis and treatment is presented. While progress has been made, more questions have been raised than answered. It is indeed true that “Knowledge is proud that he knows so much, while Wisdom is humble that he knows no more”.