Endemic Goiter in Kitâbu Divanü Lügat-it Türk: Evidence From 11th Century

Endemic Goiter in Kitâbu Divanü Lügat-it Türk

Abstract

Abstract

Aim: To present the information about endemic goiter noted in Kitâbu Divanü Lügat-it Türk (KDLT), which was overlooked in the history of medicine.

Methods: The information about endemic goiter noted in the English and Turkish copies of the KDLT were reviewed in relation to goiter and thyroid hyperplasia. Further, KDLT, and his author were shortly looked for by using the historical sources.

Results: In KDLT, which was prepared for introduction of Turkish and Turks to the Arabians in the 11th century, Mahmûd El Kashgari (1008-1102), a lexicographer of Turkic languages, noted that the “boquq” (goiter) was widespread among the Turks living in Fargana and Siqni in the Central Asia during generations.

Conclusion: By this report, one of the rare sources (and the first direct evidence of endemic goiter in Turks living in central Asia) has been added to the historical corpus of endemic goiter. The information related to endemic goiter in KDLT was previously not known in the medical literature, but in accordance with the notes of Avicenna and observations of Marco Polo, who both reported goiter in Asia in 11-13th centuries.