3.  An Ointment.  The red iodide of mercury is also good to rub on the part.  This may be used if the others fail.

4.  Other medical remedies are used, but they must be closely watched and must be used under the supervision of a doctor.  The thymus or thyroid extracts are thus used and with good results in many cases.

5.  Colorless Iodine:  This does not stain, but I have no faith in it.  It is used very much now and can be used freely.  It is simply, druggists tell me, iodide of potash made in solution, dissolved, and put on the part.  A great many cases of large goitres are now being operated upon with quite good success.  It is not done until other measures have failed, unless the goitre is interfering with breathing and the blood supply.

6.  This is very good, both for internal and external use.

Iodide of Potash     20 drams
Iodine                1 dram
Water enough for      3 ounces

Mix thoroughly and shake bottle before using.

Put some in two bottles; one for internal and other for external use.  Take internally five to ten drops in a little water before meals.  Externally, put on the enlarged neck, night and morning, unless it feels too sore, when you can use it once a day or less.

[260 Mothers’ remedies]

Exophthalmic goitre. (Parry’s, Graves or Basedows Disease).—­It is characterized by exophthalmos (bulging of the eyes), Goitre, fast beating of the heart, trembling and nervousness.

Causes.—­It is most common in women from twenty to thirty.  Several cases may occur in the same family.  The exact cause is unknown.

Symptoms.—­Acute cases.  Sudden onset, vomiting, diarrhea, the heart beats fast with throbbing arteries, bulging of the eyes, enlarged thyroid gland.  Death may occur in a few days.

Chronic Cases.—­There is usually a gradual onset of tachy cardia,—­fast beating of the heart,—­pulse being 100 to 180 or more, if excited.  Later there are throbbing of the arteries and of the thyroid glands.

Bulging of the eyeball is sometimes extreme.  There may be fever and usually is anemia, emaciation, weakness, nervousness, perspiration, difficult breathing, dark color of the skin.  It usually lasts several years.  Spontaneous recovery may occur in six months to a year and is not common.  Recovery is rare in advanced cases.

Treatment.—­Prolonged rest in bed, with an ice bag constantly over the heart, or better over the lower part of the neck and upper breast bone.  Avoid all worry and excitement.  Drugs are uncertain.  Surgery is sometimes resorted to.  The thyroid extract has been used.

Myxoedema.—­This is a constitutional disease due to atrophy (wasting away) of the thyroid gland and characterized by swollen condition of the tissue under the skin, wasting of the thyroid and mental failures.  Three forms exist, myxoedema proper, cretinism and operative myxoedcma.