STUDIES OF EXOPHTHALMIC GOITER AND THE INVOLUNTARY NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract

INTRODUCTION This report is a detailed account of the course of fifty cases of fully developed exophthalmic goiter. In order to eliminate the personal factor in diagnosis, no patient was included in this group in whom the clinical diagnosis was not confirmed by a distinct and continuous elevation of the basal metabolism. The course of the illness was followed with as little interference with the natural tendency of the disease as was compatible with the comfort of the patient. While of course, this could not be accomplished in as clearly defined a manner as the maintenance of a laboratory control, at least it is true that in these patients no specific therapy was instituted. The course of the symptoms and of the basal metabolism was closely followed, and the results obtained were estimated on the basis of restoration to social and economic usefulness, and on the return of the metabolism