It is
characterized clinically by a myxedematous condition of the
subcutaneous tissues and mental failure, and anatomically by
atrophy of the thyroid gland. The symptoms of myxedema, as given
by Ord, are marked increase in the general bulk of the body, a
firm, inelastic swelling of the skin, which does not pit on
pressure; dryness and roughness which tend, with swelling, to
obliterate the lines of expression in the face; imperfect
nutrition of the hair; local tumefaction of the skin and
subcutaneous tissues, particularly in the supraclavicular region.
The physiognomy is remarkably altered; the features are coarse
and broad, the lips thick, the nostrils broad and thick, and the
mouth enlarged. There is a striking slowness of thought and of
movement; the memory fails, and conditions leading to incipient
dementia intervene. The functions of the thoracic and abdominal
organs seem to be normal, and death is generally due to some
intercurrent disease, possibly tuberculosis. A condition akin to
myxedema occurs after operative removal of the thyroid gland.
In a most interesting lecture Brissaud shows the intimate
relation between myxedema, endemic cretinism, sporadic cretinism,
or myxedematous idiocy, and infantilism.
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