The widespread clinical trial of thiouracil and its derivatives in toxic goitre since 1943 has shown that they are very effective in reducing the excessive thyroid secretion of this condition. A partial answer can now be given to those questions which naturally arose as to the value of these antithyroid drugs compared with other methods of treatment. The first question was whether or not thyroid function would remain normal after the drug was discontinued, and how long it would be necessary to give the drug before it could be discontinued. Equally important were the nature and the frequency of toxic effects and how, if at all, they were to be avoided. Thirdly, were there any particular age groups or clinical types for which thiouracil was especially suitable or contraindicated ? The answers to these problems would of course decide the place of thiouracil in relation to other methods of treatment, thyroidectomy in particular.With regard to remissions, Beierwaltes and Sturgis (1946a) noted eight in 45 cases; the course of thiouracil had averaged 101 months in the eight cases, and the duration of the remission (to date) was from 3 to 12 months. Their cases of nodular goitre were not treated by thiouracil but by thyroidectomy. Himsworth et. al. (1947)

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