Myxœdema, cretinism and the goitres : with some of their relations / by Edward T. Blake.

  • Blake, Edward T. (Edward Thomas), 1842-1905.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Myxœdema, cretinism and the goitres : with some of their relations / by Edward T. Blake. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in myxoedema, owing to the dryness of the skin. Myxoedema IS usually associated with absence—or else atrophy—of the thyroid gland. The causes of the atrophy are at present quite unknown. Fibrous degeneration of the thyroid has followed pressure on the inferior laryngeal nerve in two subjects of aortic aneurysm of specific origin. Hale White has suggested that the inferior laryngeal is the trophic nerve of the thyroid gland. When the disease is fully developed, the physiognomy undergoes a most marked change, those who suffer from this disorder get to present a strong family likeness to one another, the features become coarse and broad, assuming a placid and mask-like form of expression. The eyebrows are elevated, probably to counteract the tendency to ptosis, the lids puffy, the eyes are almost closed, the eye-ball is barely seen through a narrow fissure. The lips are large, thick, and livid ; the lower lip being everted and pendulous, as in leprosy. The skin of the face is often affected with chloasma ; it is sometimes yellow and sometimes mahogany- like in colour. The cheeks show usually a well-defined central patch of vivid tint, contrasting strongly with the marked pallor of the lids. Though hebetude is the rule, some patients are very irritable in disposition. Anaemia, associated with increased leucocytosis, is usually present. Tubercle is often associated with myxoedema. Alcoholism and syphilis do not appear to predispose to it. The tendency to it diminishes with age. The case that follows is an interesting example of how late in life it may come. The next illustration, for the use of which I am indebted to Dr. W. Tusting Cocking, of Sheflield, forms an excellent example of the beneficial effect of thyroid feeding, even when commenced in advanced life. Case 2. Myxoedema in Advanced Life. The subject is an infirmary patient, admitted on January 19, 1898. Had had a hard and laborious life, having been twice married, and had borne ten children.