From the foregoing we shall, therefore, not be surprised to find that persons suffering from hypothyroidia or myxœdema can take large quantities of alcohol, and at the same time evince a great liking for the same; in fact, at times, they have a regular craving for it. Several things will explain why myxœdematous people like to take alcohol. They invariably feel cold, as the thyroid regulates the temperature of the body; they thus desire to obtain warmth from the spirit (which may excite the function, in a small degree, of such parts of the thyroid as are not yet degenerated), and thus produce symptoms of thyroid hyperactivity, by which warmth may be produced, though they do not realize that subsequently they will be all the colder. Such people are also generally of a dull apathetic disposition, never cheerful, but in a depressed mood, owing to the degenerated condition of the thyroid; and being thus despondent they are easily dejected by worries or disappointment. That such people should resort to drink is but natural, if we consider that they can take alcohol without visible effects. We must not forget that there are many degrees of hypothyroidia, from light cases with a simple insufficiency of the thyroid up to graver forms nearly approaching myxœdema; and all we have said on the above subject will apply in varying degrees to them. From this we shall now also understand why aged people can sometimes take much alcohol without exhibiting signs of drunkenness, which is probably the origin of the erroneous idea that “wine is the milk of the aged.” This can have very baneful results, for if small doses can undoubtedly produce—especially when light French wines are taken—a tonic and stimulating effect on the thyroid, after larger doses the hyperactivity may more readily be followed by exhaustion, in which case, in old age, the degeneration of the thyroid will be still more quickened. If persons with a degenerated thyroid can take large quantities of alcohol without getting drunk, on the other hand, those with an overactive thyroid cannot stand alcohol so well; and that the latter is the case in Graves’s disease has been already shown by the fact such people can exhibit the symptoms of intoxication even when they have taken no alcohol at all. Young girls and women generally, except those past the climacteric age, are very sensitive to the effects of alcohol, and easily get intoxicated, owing to the fact that the thyroid is, with them, more active on account of the intimate connection between it and the ovaries. Thus, during thyroid treatment we have seen intoxication appear after a single glass of claret in persons who previously could drink much more without becoming so affected. During treatment with thyroid tablets alcohol is not well borne, according to our observations.