INCIDENCE OF GOITRE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22708, 22 October 1935, Page 12

INCIDENCE OF GOITRE

The high incidence of goitre in New Zealand is a public health problem of major importance. Sir Robert M’Carrison, the well-known authority on goitre, had expressed his intention of visiting the Dominion, and it was hoped to get his advice and assistance in dealing with the matter. Unfortunately, his visit has been unavoidably postponed in the meantime, but he has forwarded a reasoned criticism of our past research work and has made some helpful suggestions for future inquiry. It is proposed to continue the investigations along the lines he suggests. These investigations will involve a considerable amount of field work in the way of survey of water supplies, milk supplies, sanitary conditions, etc., in the Taranaki and Palmerston North areas. GOITRE AMONG CHILDREN PREVALENT IN NEW ZEALAND. The high incidence of goitre in New Zealand is a public health problem of major importance, states the annual report of the Department of Health. Of all school children examined in 1934, 1G.55 showed some degree of goitre, while in one district the incidence ranged as high as 88 per cent. Parents can help considerably in preventing goitre among children by always using lodized Salt in place of plain salt. This simple method of combating goitre has been advocated by the medical authorities fiy many years, and its success is shown in the fact that in a Canterbury school of 452 pupils there was a definite lower incidence of goitre in those using lodized Salt.

Only a minute, trace of iodine is required in the diet, and this is admirably administered by using the famous Cerebos lodized Salt. In Cerebos Salt the requisite amount of iodine is compounded with fine, highly purified salt according to exact scientific standards. Health authorities advise the constant use of lodized Salt for goitre prevention. Cerebos is manufactured in England, and is the finest lodized Salt you can buy.— Advt.