Myxedema

(miks-e-de’ ’-mah) \_pi^a, mucus; 6i6i]ua, edema]. A disorder of nutrition in which the subcutaneous ti ue, especially of the face and hands, becomes infiltrated with a mucin-like substance, giving rise to a pale, edematous swelling, which does not pit on pre ure. It is a ociated with dullne of the intellect, slow monotonous speech, muscular weakne , tremors, and absence of sweating. It is thought to be due to atrophy or degeneration of the thyroid gland, a view that gains strength from the facts that a similar condition to that of myxedema is produced in animals by the removal of the thyroid gland (cachexia strumipriva), and that the administration of thyroid gland in myxedema produces a marked amelioration of symptoms. In individuals in whom the thyroid gland is congenitally diseased or absent, a state resembling myxedema is apt to develop. It is known as cretinism. 428