Textbook of Public Health

As was mentioned by Stobie, loc. cit., goitre occurred amongst members of family " H " (Nos. III 7; IV 7, 9, 13; V 7, 15). This is probably due to the fact that they lived isolated lives and used well or spring water in an area known to be low in iodine. Recently village communications have been extended, permitting the purchase of sea-fish, a rich dietary source of iodine, and the water has been changed to the main supply of the nearest large town. New cases of goitre are not occurring in the parish, and a recent school survey did not show a high incidence of adolescent hyperplasia of the thyroid gland. Fluorine is present in the former village water supplies, but the amount (about 0 1 parts per million) is unimportant (Murray and others, 1948).