a fascinating history of thyroid / parathyroid... - Thyroid UK

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a fascinating history of thyroid / parathyroid surgery. (not for the squemish)

tattybogle profile image
14 Replies

entokey.com/history-of-thyr...

"The Early Years

Goiter has been recognized as a discrete disease entity since earliest recorded history. The first mention of goiters in China occurs as early as 2700 b.c. Although goiter has been endemic in several parts of the world throughout history, it was not until a.d. 500 that Abdul Kasan Kelebis Abis in Baghdad performed the first recorded goiter excision. The patient survived despite massive postoperative bleeding. Other early remedies included the application of toad’s blood to the neck and stroking of the thyroid gland with a cadaverous hand.

Early developments in thyroid surgery came from the school of Salerno, Italy, in the 12th and 13th centuries (Figure 1-1). The typical operation involved insertion of two heated iron setons at right angles into the offending mass. These were then manipulated at the skin surface twice a day until they pierced the flesh....." and it get's worse ..

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tattybogle profile image
tattybogle
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TSH110 profile image
TSH110

ooh thanks for posting I’m bracing myself for an astounding read…..

Delgor profile image
Delgor

Thanks Tatty as I found this extremely interesting although shuddered at the thought of what some people must have gone through! I have to admit that I couldn't stop laughing when my eyes wandered to the right and saw a related post entitled "THYROID SURGERY - WHAT TO EXPECT"😂😂

TSH110 profile image
TSH110

….I was not disappointed….until I reached the bit where it said you need a gold subscription to continue ☹️ I don’t think thyroid hormone therapy was available when the paywall appeared - such a pity it’s a fascinating article.

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply toTSH110

me too ... gutted.

looked at their other articles and am currently reading this one instead. Also interesting .. (don't know how old it is so not sure if any of it is a bit out of date ?) .

'Thyroid Physiology and Thyroid Hormone Testing' entokey.com/thyroid-physiol...

noticed they also have one on Radio Frequency Ablation/Laser.. entokey.com/laser-and-radio... which might be worth a look ~ must make mental note to let PurpleNails know.

None of which is getting any bolognese sauce made.. which is what i should be doing.. off the the freezy cold kitchen it is .... ta ta for now ;)

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply totattybogle

I’ve weakened and put the heating on! Did a baked spud yesterday to warm things up with the oven. Thanks for further links will check them out.

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear in reply toTSH110

Get an air fryer! Makes marvellous baked spuds 🥔 and a lot else besides without the need for the main oven! Fabulous!

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply toZephyrbear

But does it heat up the kitchen?

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear in reply toTSH110

Probably not, but it does save on the electric you use...

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply toZephyrbear

I’ll check them out 😉

asiatic profile image
asiatic

Interesting read. Coincidentally I am visiting The Surgeon's Museum, Edinburgh tomorrow so will be on the lookout for anything Thyroid related - probably goitres in jars of formaldehyde......Ugh !

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply toasiatic

A relative told me hers was the most grotesque and abnormal the surgeon had ever removed and it was pickled in a jar for teaching purposes. It had cancerous cysts the size of boiled eggs and it had extended into her thoracic cavity, I bet they needed a big jar 🤣🤣🤣 it’s not it Edinburgh so you won’t spot it third large jar on the right, it’s most likely in Exeter.

asiatic profile image
asiatic in reply toTSH110

OMG the poor woman. Must have been a relief to have it removed. Used for teaching purposes

Wasn't aware they taught about the thyroid 😆

TSH110 profile image
TSH110 in reply toasiatic

Believe it or not she was totally unaware of any problem! Grotesque, & cancerous it was still functioning but too dangerous to leave in. It was discovered quite by accident too.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Not bedtime reading then  tattybogle ! I think I'll give it a bit of thought before I read it. Thanks for posting though.

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