An Iodine Survey.

In one of the Chemistry Division's laboratories may be seen many jars of digested thyroid glands of sheep, ready for analysis, which will indicate any deficiency of iodine in pastures. Lack of iodine causes goitre (a swelling of the thyroid gland) in sheep as well as in mankind. Some thousands of these glands, collected by the Live Stock Division, have come in for analysis. Whenever a deficiency of iodine is detected, the necessary amount is supplied in the salt “lick” for stock on the pasture.

Important progress has been made in this iodine survey, which is extending through the Wairarapa district, and will go up to Gisborne. It also takes in the southern part of the South Island.