The effect of iodine on hyperthyroidism in man / by S.J. Cowell and E. Mellanby.

  • Cowell, S. J. (Stuart Jasper)
Date:
[1924?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The effect of iodine on hyperthyroidism in man / by S.J. Cowell and E. Mellanby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE EFFECT OF IODINE ON HYPERTHYROIDISM IN MAN By S. J. COWELL and E. MELLANBY (From the Royal Infirmary, Sheffield, and the Department of Pharmacology in the University) Introduction. While it is generally recognized that there is an intimate relationship between the supply of iodine to the body and the histological structure of the thyroid gland, it is not so evident that, either as the direct outcome of this connexion, or possibly, to some extent at least, independently of this relationship, iodine may have a potent influence on the regulation of metabolic processes in the body. Of the close connexion between the thyroid gland and iodine, both from a chemical and structural point of view, there is overwhelming evidence. The hyperplasia of the thyroid glands of dogs and other animals could be cured by Marine (1) in the course of a few weeks by iodine. The glands reverted to the normal structure, the columnar cells surrounding the alveoli in the hyper¬ plastic glands changing to a cubical or flat shape and the alveoli becoming round and regular in contour and filled with an eosin-staining colloid. Other observations by Marine and his co-workers (2) on the goitres found in brook trout in certain breeding-ponds in America, and the reversion of their hyperplastic thyroids to normal structure and size following the introduction into the water of sea-water fish (containing iodine) as food, or iodides themselves, were of a parallel nature. It is of interest to note that true hyperplasia of the thyroid, whether associated with symptoms of hyperthyroidism or not, is always related to a diminished iodine content, and the degree of hyperplasia is generally greater as the iodine in the gland diminishes. In fact absence of iodine seems to be a controlling factor in the development of this type of change, but whether it can be inferred that there has never been an adequate supply of iodine or that conditions have arisen which have driven the store of iodine out of the gland and out of the body is not known. In addition to the evidence of the relation between iodine and thyroid hyperplasia there is also evidence of the relation between iodine and the development of colloid goitre. As the result of the endeavours of different workers, particularly Marine (3) in America, to eliminate goitres from districts [Q. J. M., Oct., 1924.] B