“Prophylaxis and Treatment of Endemic Goiter With Iodized Oil in Rural Ecuador and Peru”, 1969-12-01 (; backlinks; similar):
Endemic goiter continues to be a substantial health problem in many areas of the world. In some areas the disease is so severe that cretinism and other associated defects are found. In many areas, geographic, economic, and other factors prevent the use of iodized salt as a preventive measure.
A pilot program using iodized poppy seed oil has been instituted in two rural communities in Ecuador and three in Peru. Results after ~2 years indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the programs. There has been a sharp reduction in the incidence of goiter. Cretinism has not yet appeared among the progeny of the population injected with iodized oil, but several instances have appeared in control groups. The use of iodized oil as a public health procedure for the prevention of endemic goiter and its associated defects is an acceptable measure in regions where salt-iodization programs cannot be presently undertaken.