Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-19
THE READERS VIEWPOINT

New York Academy of Medicine at Camp
Upton base hospital several weeks ago, one
or the most carefully, considered subjects
under discussion was that of hyperthyroidism
and Its relation to army life. Indeed 1t Is
not only the scientist, but the layman, too.
who Is intensely interested in a series of
syndrome Of symptoms which have affected
large number of raw recruits both here
and abroad - symptoms which have been
traced to a disturbance of the thyroid gland
The complaints described by the subjects of
this malady and the analysis Of the condition
by the army doctors prove it to be no other
condition than what has for many years
been described as hyperthyroidsm. otherwise
known as Basedow's disease. Graves disease
or eXophthalmic goiter. The condition, there
fore. which has affected thousands of SOL
diers in camp and in the trenches, and which
has otherwise been enormously termed shell
shock" nervous weakness" etc. is no other
than hyperthyrohsm or exophthamic goiter.
I1yperthyroidism is disease apparently
originating in the thyroid gland Gin the neck
just below Adams apple), and usually oc-
ours In women. though certain type of men,
as result Of extreme emotional excitement.
are also susceptible. The thyroid gland
swells and soon appears as a goiter. The
eyes begin to protrude, the heart becomes
very rapid. there Is tremor of the out
stretched fingers and the whole body seems
to assume picture of extreme nervousness
not unlike q veritable image Of perpetual
fright.
the last generation, surgeons nave
been operating on the thyroid gland in efforts
to cure the malady, but though there are
excellent surgical recoveries." the affection
Is not cured the symptoms recurring sooner
or later with even greater severity. leading
to death from heart failure, exhaustion or
both. the end often preceded by period Of
melanchoia or mania.
This disease is not only not a surgical
affection. but is quite durable by dietetic
hygienic and medical measures Nearly all
hVnarthVroiIiSp, IT,
by nonsurgical means. II the disease has not
damaged the heart beyond redemption
Men with ironclad nervous systems or
| those who have already served in the regular
army or in other wars, those who are
| Inherently Indifferent to fright and shock,
are immune to hyperthyroidsm. Everybody
| else is more or less susceptible to this dis
| ease in direct proportion to the degree of
susceptibility to the effects of fright and
shock.
| The question naturally arises In these
| critical times when almost every one must
| take up arms In defense Of life and liberty,
| is 1t possible to diminish ones susceptibility
or to become immune to this disease? I say
| decidedly yes! Fright is the reaction of the
ego 1t Is the expression Of the vegetative
| phase of existence, of self-preservation 1t
is self-defensive expression. This express
sion. however. can be suppressed, If not alto
| gether effaced. by proper moral reflection
and It is this moral reflection that is now
saving the world from slavery; 1t is this
moral reflection that spells immunity to all
fright and protects the lives and souls OF
our soldiers as no coat of armor could II
is this moral reflection that distinguishes the
weakling. good-for-nothing, panic-stricker
human lamb, as exemplified In the typica
emotionaly unstable Russian peasant on the
one hand from the fearless. dauntless lion
hearted. noble-minded American on tn,
other hand What Is, then, this moral re
fection? Briefly. 1t is this It Is the process.
of evaluatng liberty on the one hand anS
slavery on the other. The person most sus
ceptible to shock and fright, !. e.. the person
most susceptible to hyperthyroidism. Is tn
one who has not yet fully grasped the de;
that a life of slavery Is animal, not human
existence; that life without liberty is wors
than death. and that existence and happiness
depend on liberty and liberty alone-libert.
| of thought and deed, of pursuit OF happnes
and of the unhampered utilization OF all on
capacities The moral reflector or broa
| thinker values liberty far above life itsel
and is, therefore. virtually immune to hyper
| thyroidsm.
He, however who is unfortunate enoug
to be suffering with degree OF hyperthy
roidism or exophthalmic goiter Is entirel
durable by nonsurgical measures and nee
not fear surgery.
ISRAEL BRAN, NJ. d.
Philadelphia, August l6.