IODINE DANGERS

Evening Star, Issue 19519, 29 March 1927, Page 8

IODINE DANGERS

GOITRE AGGRAVATED HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S WARH.IHG 'Psa United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Jk.nl, 2u. Dr Watt, Deputy-Director-General of Ilealtti, to-day made an important statement regarding goitre and tlva use of iodine. ‘ Tim injudicious use oi iodine is accompanied,” ho said, “ by serious risk. It may tiansfoim simple or ordinary goitre into a much more serious toxic fonn; indeed, there is some reason u> believe that actual haim has been done in the last two or three years as the death rate and admission late to hospitals from the toxic goitre irroup has shown a nuuKod increase. There is more than a suggestion that the public are using to-called goitre remedies witnout adequate medical supervision. lodised salt, in the pio--1 portion used in New Zealand i.., so iar us is known, wholly free from risk, and can only do good. Administration in tho form of a lozenge containing one (r ra in by the school medical authorities is another form on an established basis. Apart from iodised salt and lozenges, preparations containing iodine or the salt thereof should only bo taken for tho prevention or cure of goitre under the direct supervision of a medical man. Tho department has been -mprossed with the need of control oi the use of so-callod goitre remedies, and in the near luturo purposes to regulate the sale of such remedies.”