The Huon Peninsula Endemic: I. The Effectiveness of an Intramuscular Depot of Iodized Oil in the Control of Endemic Goitre

Endemic Cretinism in Eastern New Guinea

“…Thirteen endemic cretins were seen who had been born since iodized oil prophylaxis was first introduced in 1957 (McCullagh, 1963a). In only one case was there a possibility that the mother of one of these cretins had received an injection of iodine before the birth of her child.…”

The challenge of public health in Australia and the region

“…Combating iodine deficiency has been for me a great personal adventure in international health. It all began in 1963, when I was asked by the Editor of the Medical Journal of Australia to review an article by Terry McCullagh on the use of injections of iodised oil (Lipiodol) in PNG 10 . This was new technology proposed to help control the severe goitre problem (Box 3) in remote villages in the highlands where iodised salt (the usual remedy for the problem) could not be easily introduced.…”

“…This was new technology proposed to help control the severe goitre problem (Box 3) in remote villages in the highlands where iodised salt (the usual remedy for the problem) could not be easily introduced. An initial controlled trial carried out by McCullagh, at the request of the Director of Public Health, John Gunther, showed that one injection of iodised oil would prevent goitre for up to 3 years 10 . However, in 1963, it was not known whether iodine deficiency was present in PNG.…”

Duncan Memorial Lecture: Part 1. Dr Duncan's legacy in a remote New Guinea valley

“…Shortly afterwards he organised a trial of intramuscular iodinated oil for relieving and preventing endemic goitre that proved highly successful, many goitres vanished! 3 The trial using a single intramuscular injection of iodinated oil to determine if it was eVective in the prevention of neurological endemic cretinism started in 1966 and was carried out in the Jimi valley in the Western Nighlands of Papua New Guinea. Approximately 8000 people each in the intervention and control groups were entered into the trial.…”