INCIDENCE OF GOITRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19141, 6 October 1925, Page 12

INCIDENCE OF GOITRE.

INQUIRY AMONG CHILDREN. VALUABLE RESEARCH WORK. J lODINE CONTENT OF SOIL. After five years of investigation to determine the incidence of goitre among New Zealand schoolchildren,-a final survey of schools is now being made by Dr. Baker-McLaglan, an officer of the division of school hygiene, Christchurch, who will visit Auckland schools during the next few weeks. Dr. McLagian spoke yesterday of the efforts that, had been made to determine to what extent the children were affected by goitre, which in some localities was distressingly prevalent. Very valuable research work was being done in the Otago University Medical School by Dr. Kerens, professor of preventive medicine, who was working in conjunction with the professors of geology and chemistry. They had been working on the soil content of iodine in various localities, and with the assistance sf the school medical officers were endeavouring to discover if the incidence of goitre in the general population was inSuenced in accordance with the amount of iodine in the soil. The source of intake of iodine into the human system, the doctor explained, was chiefly through vegetables, but the latter coold not build it into their tissues unless the iodine was in the soil. Investigations along these lines had been almost completed, but it had been considered advisable to make a final survey of schools, representing the various geologic areas, in order to get the fullest information possible. Dr. McLagian has been associated with Dr. Hercus in this work for several years past, and has been deputed to make these final observations. The actual work among the children, she explained, is done through the school medical officers in each district, vrho have rendered most valuable assistance in this respect. Although she has not yet worked out the exact percentages, Dr. McLagian is of opinion that the schools in Taranaki, Horowhenua, Levin and Otaki are extra-' ordinarily free of goitre. Auckland figures have not yet been compiled, but it is generally admitted that the incidence in Auckland itself and in North Auckland, is low.