Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-09-11
Iodine-Poor
Regions
Golfer Boon
Enlargement Of Thyroid
Given Much Study
BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENING

BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENING
WHAT does it mean II the
w thyroid gland swells up
A swollen thyroid gland is called
a goiter.
When we examine golfers that
have been removed at operation
under the microscope we see
number OF different kinds OF
changes.
The simplest kind of goiter is
the one found In the so-called
goiter regions.
II is well known that in some
regions a large proportion OF
the young adult population has
enlargement of the thyroid.
Switzerland is such region
and In North America around
the Great Lakes district.
The cause of this relationship
has been quite thoroughly
worked out.
The secretion OF the thyroid
gland is quite a complicated
chemical structure. but 1T con-
tains a large amount OF iodine.
Without iodine the gland can
not form this secretion at all.
IN MOST parts OF the world
Il there is plenty of iodine in
the soil.
This gets into the drinking
water. into vegetables and
edible fruit, into cows milk,
etc, so that the human organ
ism has plenty for its needs.
The Texan. for instance. gets
Is times as much iodine in his
food and water as the Michi-
gander.
So the thyroid in people who
live in iodine-poor regions in
crease in the number OF it's cells
so that every bit OF iodine can
be picked out of the blood.
This sort OF goiter can be
cured by giving iodine srtificislly
in the form OF iodine salt
sodium iodide.
Only a very little need be
taken-a few grains for 10
days spring and fall is sufficient
to keep the body in equilibrium.
Obviously these golfers are
beneficial and not harmful and
should not be removed.
NONE OF the other forms Of
~ goiter is nearly so well un-
derstood as this simple physio-
logical enlargement OF the
thyroid.
We can for convenience divide
them into active and nonactive
varieties. Some of them. even
though they attain great size.
appear to elaborate no secretion
that is absorbed into the blood
stream. at least none that does
any harm.
They do not increase the basal
metsboliSm. These are the col
loid golfers and seem TO be
simply cysts of sluggish growth.
Another form produces a
secretion that is absorbed and
causes very disagreeable symp-
toms-protrusion of the eyes,
nervous trembling OF the
muscles. fast pulse. loss of
weight. a sense of apprehension,
sweating. warmth of the skin.
and often a few degrees Of
fever.
THERE is an increase in the
Il basal metabolic rate tthe
basal metabolisrn was explained
in the article yesterday indi-
eating great activity of the thy
roid gland.
The treatment now most fire.
quently consists in surgical re-
moval Of the over-active thyroid
gland.
That is a perfectly logical
procedure and in most in
stances the results are excellent.
But there are all varieties of
the disease and gradations in
severity, and no condition needs
more urgently the advice and
judgment of wise doctor than
goiter.
QUESTIONS. ANSWERS
Constant Reader - What is
calcium panthothenate and is it
safe to take il without a doc
tors prescription?
Answer-1his is the calcium
salt OF pantothenic acid. part
of the Vitamin B complex.
1t has not been demonstrated
that IL has any action on hui
man beings. 1t would be pretty
hard for you not TO get il
whether or not on doctors ad-
vice II you eat three square
meals a day.
1t was named pantothenic be-
cause il is IN nearly every food
in nature; yeast, rice, cereals,
beef, fish. eggs, milk. carrots.
onions. peas and beans are
particularly rich in calcium
pantothenate.
Worried Mother: My son OF 1S
has a few cavities in his teeth
the size Of a pin point. Should l
allow the dentist to fix them