From prophylaxis to atomic cocktail: circulation of radioiodine.
This paper is a history of iodine. To trace the trajectory of this element, goiter is used as a guideline for the articulation of a historical account, as a representation of thyroid disorders and of the spaces of knowledge and practices related to iodine. Iodine's journey from goiter treatment and prophylaxis in the late interwar period took on a new course after WWII by including the element's radioactive isotopes. I intend to show how the introduction of radioiodine contributed to stabilize the epistemic role of iodine, in both its non-radioactive and radioactive form, in thyroid gland studies and in the treatment of its disorders.
Departamento de Ciencia, Tecnología y Sociedad Instituto de Filosofía, CSIC, Madrid. mariaj.santesmases@cchs.csic.es
María Jesús
MJ
Santesmases
D006042:Goiter / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007455:Iodine