Thyroidinum

Thyroidinum.

Thyroidin.

Thyroid Extract.

A Sarcode.

Trituration of the fresh thyroid gland of sheep or calf.

Attenuation of a liquid extract of the gland.

Clinical (Thyroïdinum)

Abscess.

Acromegaly.

Albuminuria ; of pregnancy.

Amblyopia.

Amenorrhoea.

Anaemia ; acute pernicious.

Angina pectoris.

Backache.

Chilblains.

Constipation.

Convulsions, puerperal.

Diarrhoea.

Diuresis.

Dropsy.

Dysmenorrhoea.

Ear, middle, affections of.

Eczema.

Fainting.

Fibroma.

Fractures, ununited.

Goitre ; exophthalmic.

Hair, new growth of ; falling off.

Heart, failure of ; valvular disease of.

Hysteria.

Hystero-epilepsy.

Ichthyosis.

Idiocy.

Leprosy.

Mania.

Milk, deficiency of.

Myxoedema.

Neurasthenia.

Obesity.

Oedema.

Optic neuritis.

Paralysis ; of hands and arms.

Paraplegia.

Phthisis.

Pityriasis rubra.

Psoriasis.

Puerperal fever.

Rupia.

Scleroderma.

Syphilis.

Tetanus.

Characteristics (Thyroïdinum)

When the treatment of myxoedema and allied diseases by "Thyroid feeding" was introduced by Murray in 1892, many accidents occurred from overdosing. A large number of the pathogenetic effects I collected (H. W. , XXIX. and subsequent volumes) and arranged in Schema form (H. W. , XXIX. 251) along with cured symptoms, giving the authority and reference for each. In my subjoined Schema I have omitted the references.

Cured symptoms I have bracketed, unless otherwise indicated. Marc Jousset collected other symptoms in L''Art Médical, and I have added some of these, together with others from later observers. The first published case treated with an attenuation was one of my own (H. W. , XXIX. 111) : Eleanor N. , 17, suffered from fits of "hystero-epilepsy" for ten months, following a chill. At first the fits had been frequent, latterly only before the menstrual period.

The fits sometimes lasted half an hour, were preceded by swelling of limbs and face, which sometimes occurred without the subsequent fit. She bit her tongue in the fits. Other symptoms were : pains in legs, back, and head (occiput and vertex) ; swelling of throat compelling her to loosen her clothes. Menses after an absence of four months returned excessively.

Much left ovarian pain and tenderness. Despondent, feeble heart sounds ; pulse 120 ; could not lie down for palpitation and headache. Legs so weak she could not stand. Thyroid very slightly enlarged.

Constipation. Sleepless, has had to take hypnotics regularly of late. A brother of the patient was epileptic. Lach. did some good, especially improving the sleep ; but no solid progress was made till Thyr. 3x, gr. ii. thrice daily, was given on November 1st.

On November 4th she could lie down flat ; on the 15th she could walk with assistance ; on the 29th the headache had ceased ; on December 6th she could walk alone quite well and the bowels acted without enema for the first time. The mental condition improved, the prominence of the eyeballs disappeared, and she left the hospital perfectly well before Christmas. With Thyr. 1m F. C.

Skinner cured a case of dysmenorrhoea in a goitrous subject. In a case of valvular heart disease following rheumatism in a man, 24, Thyr. 3x, gr. ii. thrice daily, quickly relieved a squeezing pain at the heart with inability to lie down and materially hastened the patient''s recovery. The action of Thyr. on the heart is most profound. Fatal syncope has occurred in a number of cases under "Thyroid feeding.

Cyanosis was produced in many cases. Severe angina pectoris was produced by it in a patient to whom Burnett gave the 3x. The connection between the heart and the thyroid gland is very close, as seen in cases of exophthalmic goitre. Many cases of the latter affection have been cured with Thyr.

In myxoedema, cachexia strumipriva, cretinism and similar conditions the thyroid gland is absent or defective, and the idea of the Thyroid feeding is to supply a physiological want. A state of puffiness and obesity may therefore be regarded as a keynote indication for Thyr.

As drugs act sometimes in opposite ways, I gave Thyr. 3x gr. ii. to a living skeleton of a child aged five, and looking not more than two, who had been kept in a box in a cellar all his life till brought into hospital, when he weighted 14 1/4 pounds. Under Bac. 200 and careful feeding he gained 1/4 pound a week.

When I commenced Thyr. he put on weekly 3/4 pound, and gained the use of his legs, being able to stand by holding on to a chair. In a case of universal and very aggravated psoriasis in a schoolboy, fair, very chilly, cold, clammy hands and feet, Thyr. 3x and later 30 (which seemed to act better than the lower attenuation) completely cured after a prolonged course. An obese lady, aet. 60, developed diabetes.

I cured her completely of the diabetes with Thyr. 3x and 30. She has now for many years been able to take any kind of food. (On her husband, a spare man, who also was diabetic Thyr. had no effect. ) Skin cases in great variety have been cured with Thyr. in substantial doses : Pityriasis rubra, intense redness, and scaliness of legs, and also with intense itching ; Ichthyosis ; syphilitic eruptions ; scleroderma.

The nutrition of the bones is affected, and acromegaly has been relieved and united fractures made to unite. Thyr. has increased the flow of milk in nursing women when the flow has been deficient. It has cured cases of tetany both operative and idiopathic.

The keynote in these cases appears to have been "< of spasms by cold. " Many cases of insanity have been cured with it, including a case of puerperal insanity with fever. H. O. Nicholson (B. M. J. , June 21, 1901) relates a case of eclampsia of pregnancy : A woman, 32, in her third pregnancy, had a fit on October 3rd. Thyroid feeding was begun next day. Marked improvement followed. Oedema of face and body diminished. On October 23rd patient was about her usual duties.

On November 6th she was delivered of a healthy boy without any untoward symptoms. Thyr. , according to Nicholson, is diuretic, like Urea ; and Nicholson explains its action in eclampsia as being effected through its enabling the kidneys to carry off the toxins resulting from foetal metabolism. Thyr. is antagonistic to Adrenalin in that the latter contracts, whilst the former dilates the arterioles. Among the pathogenetic effects of Thyr. , optic neuritis and accommodative asthenopia have been observed.

Some curiosities have been noted in the action of Thyr. on the growth of hair. Myxoedema patients lose their hair as a rule, and Thyr. when successful restores the growth. But in some cases the opposite effect has been noted. In one case of myxoedema the hair had fallen off the head and face and a thick growth appeared on arms and chest.

Under Thyr. the latter disappeared, and the hair on the head and face grew again (L''Art Méd. , LXXXII. 44).

The pains of Thyr. are stitching, aching, or heavy pains, and tingling sensations. At the point of injection when administered subcutaneously brawny swelling occurred in one case (which may suggest scleroderma) followed by abscess of slow development. Persons suffering from skin diseases were found tolerant of much larger doses than myxoedemics. In a number of cases latent phthisis has been lighted up into activity.

Syphilis, both secondary and tertiary, has been vastly relieved by Thyr. Hansen mentions fibroma uteri as having been cured by Thyr. , and Burford supports this. "Brawny swelling" is a keynote of Thyr. pointed out by Burnett. With Thyr. 3x gr. vi. thrice daily he cured a case of dropsy and albuminuria which had been given up by several doctors.

Burnett noticed that the swelling was brawny.

Soon after commencing Thyr. the patient passed a quantity of fluid from the feet and got quite well. The symptoms are : > By rest. < By least exertion ; by stooping. (Heart was < lying down. ) < By cold. (Thyr. treatment nearly always raises the bodily heat. )

Relations (Thyroïdinum)

Compare

Myxoedema ; psoriasis, &c. , Ars. [I permanently cured a case of myxoedema with Ars. high, before the Thyroid method was introduced (H. W. , XXVII. 443) ; arsenic has been found to be a normal constituent of the healthy thyroid gland]. Phthisis, Bac. [I have found Thyr. follow Bac. well. Greenfield (see H.

W. , XXIX. 7) found tuberculosis very common in myxoedemics, in five out of seven fatal cases it was widespread and advanced ; he also found it in one case of sporadic cretinism. Young, of Switzerland, has cured cretinism with Bac. ] Syphilis, Merc. , K. iod. , Syph. Goitre, exophthalmic, Spo. , Iod. , Spi. Diuresis, Urea.

Optic neuritis, Tab. , Carb. s. Dilated arterioles (Adren. , opp. ). Ununited fractures, Symph. Wakes with headache, Lach,

Follows well

Lach. , Bac.

Mind (Thyroïdinum)

Acute stupor alternating with restless melancholia at times could not be got to speak, but would lie on floor with limbs rigid at other times would weep and undress herself ; at times dangerous and homicidal, would put her arms round the necks of other patients so tightly as almost to strangle them ; (in this case the insanity was primary and the myxoedema secondary ; both conditions were removed).

Angry.

Became a grumbler.

Delirium of persecution (three cases observed, one fatal, the result of taking Thyr. in tablets to reduce obesity).

Depression.

Evinced increased vivacity by quarrelling with another patient about a trifling difference of opinion.

Excited condition, lasting all the rest of the day, grunting continuously and laughing in a way that was peculiar to herself.

For several hours in what can only be termed a hysterical condition.

Fretfulness and moroseness gave way to cheerfulness and animation.

Had frights.

Irritable and ill-tempered.

Mental aberration dating three years before onset of myxoedema, subject to attacks of great violence, with intervals of depression and moroseness.

Profound depression.

State of idiocy ; fearful nightmares.

Sudden acute mania occurring in myxoedema, perfectly restored mentally and bodily under Thyr.

Very excited ; excited state followed by considerable depression.

Head (Thyroïdinum)

(Constant headache, pains in occiput and vertex. ).

(Headaches in case of acromegaly. ).

Awoke about 4 a. m. with sharp headache and intense aching in back and limbs, which continued for three days and compelled him to keep his bed.

Black hairs growing among the grey.

Ever since taking the first thyroid [had had five glands altogether, at intervals] he had a strange heavy feeling in his head, with vertigo and palpitation on stooping.

Feeling of lightness in the brain, scarcely amounting to giddiness.

Fresh growth of hair (many cases).

Fronto-coronal headache about two hours after each tabloid.

Headache (with fever symptoms) ; disappeared on suspending treatment, reappeared seven days after recommencing.

Headache and pains in abdomen.

In a case of myxoedema the patient lost all the hair of his head and face and had thick growth over his arms and thorax ; under Thyr. the hair of the head and face grew again and that of the arms and chest fell off.

In one case of scleroderma and in one case of myxoedema the hair fell off permanently.

Much giddiness and headache for twenty-four hours.

Persistent frontal headache after taking one tabloid for four successive days.

Eyes (Thyroïdinum)

(Prominence of eyeballs — exophthalmic goitre. ).

Accommodative asthenopia.

Optic neuritis (in five persons, four of them women, under treatment for obesity ; no other symptoms of thyroidism).

Ears (Thyroïdinum)

Hyperplasic median otitis with sclerosis and loss of mobility of the ossicles (rapid amelioration — several cases).

Moist patches behind ears heal up (case of psoriasis).

Face (Thyroïdinum)

Burning sensation of lips with free desquamation.

Faintness, with great flushing of upper part of body and pains in back.

Flushing : with nausea and lumbar pains ; loss of consciousness, tonic muscular spasm ; immediate ; with rise of temperature, and pains all over ; suddenly became breathless and livid.

In lupus of face, tight sensation, heat, and angry redness removed.

Swelling of face and legs.

Mouth (Thyroïdinum)

(Ulcerated patch on buccal aspect on left cheek near angle of mouth. )

Feverish and thirsty.

Great thirst.

Tongue became thickly coated.

Throat (Thyroïdinum)

(Full sensation. ).

Goitre reduced.

Goitre, exophthalmic, cured.

Stomach (Thyroïdinum)

Always felt a sensation of sickness after the injections.

Dyspeptic troubles.

Eructations.

Feels tired and sick.

Gastro-intestinal disturbance and diarrhoea.

Increased appetite with improved digestion.

Loss of appetite.

Nausea soon after taking the gland.

Nausea, slight vomiting.

Nausea, with flushing and lumbar pains.

On five occasions the patient (a woman) vomited the thyroid.

Sensations of faintness and nausea (after a few injections).

Slight nausea recurring on thinking of it.

Abdomen (Thyroïdinum)

Flatulence increased, followed later in the case by amelioration.

Headache and pain in abdomen.

Stool (Thyroïdinum)

Constipation.

Diarrhoea ; with gastro-intestinal disturbance.

Relief of constipation with more natural actions.

Urinary Organs (Thyroïdinum)

Albuminuria.

Diabetes mellitus ; caused and cured.

Increased flow of urine.

Increased urination, usually with clear, pale yellow secretion.

Slight trace of albumen found in urine.

Female Sexual Organs (Thyroïdinum)

(Constant left ovarian pain, and great tenderness).

(Painful and irregular menstruation. ).

(Puerperal eclampsia. )

(Puerperal insanity with fever. ).

Acts as a galactagogue when milk deficient ; when the deficiency is associated with a return of the menses it will suppress the latter.

Increased sexual desire.

Looks pale and feels ill.

Menses profuse, prolonged, more frequent ; early amenorrhoea.

Pain in lower part of abdomen, headache and sickness (in girl of sixteen, probably menstrual effort provoked by Thyr. ; no catamenial flow appeared).

Six days after commencement of treatment menstruation, which had been absent over a year, reappeared and continued profusely (in several cases of myxoedema with or without insanity).

Respiratory Organs (Thyroïdinum)

(Voice became clear. ).

Dormant phthisis ; lighted up the disease in five cases.

Slight attack of haemoptysis, followed by cough and signs of phthisis at apex of left lung.

Heart and Pulse (Thyroïdinum)

(Jumping sensation at heart. )

(Rapid pulsation, with inability to lie down in bed. ).

A systolic cardiac murmur was less loud after the treatment than before.

Complained occasionally of a feeling of faintness, not occurring particularly after the injections.

Death, with all the symptoms of angina pectoris.

Degeneration of heart muscle in animals.

Frequent fainting fits.

On one occasion, after exerting herself more than she had done for a long time previously, "suddenly became extremely breathless and livid, and felt as if she was dying ;" > by rest in recumbent position and stimulants.

On trying to walk uphill died suddenly from cardiac failure.

One patient showed extraordinary symptoms after the injection ; the skin became so livid as to be almost blue-black.

Palpitation on stooping.

Pulse rose to 112.

Relaxation of arterioles.

Sensations of faintness and nausea.

Tachycardia and ready excitability of the heart persisting for several days after the feeding was stopped.

Two fainting attacks.

Weakness of heart''s action.

While stooping to put on her shoes she "fainted" and died in half an hour.

Back (Thyroïdinum)

(Backache. )

Flushing of upper part of body and pains in back.

Flushing, nausea, and lumbar pains, lasting a few minutes.

Intense aching in back and limbs, which continued for three days.

Stabbing pains in lumbar region.

Limbs (Thyroïdinum)

(Acromegaly, subjective symptoms. )

Intense aching in back and limbs, lasting three days.

Pains in arms and legs, with malaise.

Quivering of limbs ; tremors.

Skin of hands and feet desquamated.

Upper Limbs (Thyroïdinum)

After injection, to a great extent lost the use of her hands for two days ; recurred later, lasting a few hours.

Arms less stiff and painful (psoriasis).

Felt queer and unable to raise her arms (after injection, another case).

Lower Limbs (Thyroïdinum)

Feet repeatedly peel in large flakes, leaving a tender surface.

Incomplete paraplegia.

Oedema of legs appeared, and subsequently subsided and continued to reappear and subside for a month.

Pain in legs.

Profuse flow of fluid from feet (in case of dropsy cured by Thyr. ).

Swelling of face and legs.

Tingling sensation in legs.

Generalities (Thyroïdinum)

"A series of abscesses resulting from the injections, but probably originating from an accidental abscess quite independent of them. ".

(Acromegaly, headaches, and subjective symptoms. ).

(Fractures refuse to unite. ).

(Hystero-epilepsy with amenorrhoea. ).

(Tetany. ).

A peculiar cachexia more dangerous than myxoedema itself.

A small abscess formed.

Aching pains (many cases).

Aching pains all over.

Aching pains in various parts of body.

Agitation.

Anaemia and debility.

Brawny swelling at point of injection, followed by abscess of slow development.

Diffused pains.

Epileptiform fit, after which he was unconscious for an hour ; next day felt better and warmer.

Fainting attacks (many cases).

Feels tired and sick.

Gained a stone in weight.

Hysterical attack.

Incomplete paraplegia.

Increased suppuration in case of lupus.

Infiltration rapidly absorbed (psoriasis).

Loss of consciousness and general tonic muscular spasm for a few seconds.

Lost weight enormously (many cases of myxoedema).

Malaise > by lying in bed.

Malaise so great she refused to continue the treatment.

Myxoedema removed (many cases).

Myxoedematous patients are always chilly ; the effect of the treatment is to make them less so.

Nervous and hysterical, had to have nurses to watch her.

Pains over whole body.

Persons suffering from skin disease can bear much larger doses than those suffering from myxoedema.

Rapid gain of flesh and strength.

Rest in recumbent position > extreme breathlessness with lividity, felt as if dying.

Stabbing pains.

Stooping = palpitation.

Syphilis secondary and tertiary.

Tremors, quivering of limbs, complete unconsciousness.

Skin (Thyroïdinum)

(Psoriasis ; redness and itching reduced ; eruption separating and being shed in great scales, angry, inflamed appearance completely gone. ).

(Rupia. ).

(Symmetrical serpigenous eruption ; dark red ; edges raised and thickened. ).

(Syphilitic psoriasis. ).

(Teething eczema. ).

Arms less stiff and painful ; swelling diminished.

Crusts separated, leaving faint red skin ; eruption not nearly so painful.

Eczema : irritation of skin markedly allayed.

Flushing of skin.

Lupus : tight feeling, heat, angry redness removed ; suppuration increased.

Moist patches behind ears heal up.

Peeling of skin beginning on legs and extending over whole surface ; skin has since become comparatively soft and smooth.

Peeling of skin of lower limbs, with gradual clearing (eczema).

Psoriasis ; eruption extended and increased.

Scattered pustules of eczema mature quickly or abort.

Scleroderma.

Skin became so livid as to be almost blue-black.

Skin has desquamated freely, but there has been no perspiration or diuresis.

Skin of hands and feet desquamated.

Sleep (Thyroïdinum)

Awoke about 4 a. m. with sharp headache.

Continual tendency to sleep.

Exited condition ; could not sleep.

Fearful nightmares disappeared.

Insomnia.

Fever (Thyroïdinum)

Always felt hot, and had a sensation of Sickness after the injections.

Felt better and warmer.

Flushing : with nausea ; with loss of consciousness.

Flushing of upper part of body and pains in back.

Profuse perspiration on least exertion.

Rise of temperature ; diaphoresis.

Temperature never rose above 99° but she felt feverish and thirsty.

Temperature rose to 100° F. , and remained there several days ; pulse 112.