GOITRE IN TARANAKI

Evening Star, Issue 21220, 29 September 1932, Page 13

GOITRE IN TARANAKI

An investigation made into the reported fairly extensive increase ol goitre among Taranaki children has shown (says a Taranaki paper) that there is a definite increase in the symptom usually associated with goitre, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The old theory that goitre was to a largo extent brought about by lack of sufliicent iodine, and that the best moans of prevention was. the partaking of iodised salt, is being seriously contested by some well-known medical practitioners, and it is suggested that there arc other explanations of the cause and cure of this affliction. One theory advanced is that the liberal top-dressing of artificial fertilisers to which many 'Taranaki pastures have boon subjected during recent years lias destroyed or lessened the natural iodine properties of the soil, and thus caused an increase in goitre. Another theory is that the general enlargement of the thyriod gland is not necessarily goitre at all, but a provision of Nature to cope with the changed properties of human food brought about by the artificial top-dressing of pastures, or possibly some other cause. If this wore true the enlargement of the thyroid gland would, of course, he in the nature of a physiological change. The daily use of Ccrebos lodised Salt for the fable and for cooking ensures an adequate supply of iodine for each member of the family,—[Advt.J