INCIDENCE OF GOITRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 13 November 1925, Page 11

INCIDENCE OF GOITRE.

PREVESTIVE MEASTJXtES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) GISBORNE, Wednesday. An interesting account of investigations in the Dominion in connection with the incidence of goitre was given to-day by Dr. Eleanor Baker McLaglen, who, in conjunction -with Professor Hercus, Otago, has been engaged in grappling with the problem during the last few years. The manner in which various sciences are correlated was shown by reason of the fact that in New Zealand the geological and health departments are working hand in, hand, with the result that no country in the world has so far made investigations as thorough as that which is now in progress in New Zealand. Dr. McLaglen said that her present work consisted of visiting representative schools in various districts and studying the varying degrees of goitre found in different districts. Remarkably good results had followed preventive measures which had been carried out in Canterbury, where eixty-two per cent of the children showed, symptoms of goitre. Since commencing investigations they had come to the conclusion that where the soils were deficient in iodine the vegetables were also deficient, and goitre flourished. A complete geological survey to ascertain the iodine contents of soils had been carried out. In the Taranaki and Auckland districts the iodine content of the soils varied from 137 to 166 parts per million, and only about four per cent of the children showed signs of goitre. Where the iodine content was smaller goitre was more prevalent. The monumental work tackled by Professor Hercus and Dr. McLaglen is now drawing to a conclusion, and in a short time a comprehensive report on the disease and treatment will be made by the investigators. Meantime the doctor warns people against indiscriminate use of iodine, and says any case should be treated only after medical consultation.