Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 edition. Excerpt: ... SECTION TWENTY BRONCHOCELE (GOITRE); EXOPHTHALMIC GOITRE SECTION TWENTY BRONCHOCELE (GOITRE); EXOPHTHALMIC GOITRE THIS is a chronic enlargement of the thyroid gland. Other tumors of the neck may be mistaken for goitre, but the latter may be diagnosed by directing the patient to imitate the act of swallowing. If the tumor follows the motion of the larynx and trachea, and at the same time occupies the natural situation of the thyroid gland, there can be but little doubt of its nature. Goitre is not, in itself, a painful disorder, nor does it taint the system. It has no quality of malignancy about it. It is always a deformity because of its weight; when very large it may cause distress and suffering. The worst effects from goitre are its interference with the circulation and the respiration. By its pressure, it may obstruct the free descent of the blood through the veins of the neck, and give rise to headache, giddiness, noises in the ears, confusion of thought, and a turgid condition of the head and face. Or, by pressing upon the esophagus, it may cause hoarseness, wheezing and dyspnea. It may even impede deglutition. It may surround all the front and sides of the neck, like a thick collar, and rise as high as the ears, or it may hang down in a pendulous lump and be supported by the chest. This disease is much more common in females than males. In forty-nine cases of goitre treated in one hospital in ten years, forty-eight were women. On an average, we have twenty females, for one male, who are afflicted with this malady. I am inclined to the belief that any uterine disease acts as an irritant and helps to increase the size of the goitre. Because of this I feel confident that a cure could not be expected if the uterine trouble is allowed...
