Broda Otto Barnes

Biography Barnes was born on April 14, 1906, in a log cabin in Missouri, the son of Addie and Robert B. Barnes. Barnes studied chemistry at the University of Denver, and became an instructor of physiological chemistry at Western Reserve University for two years, receiving his M.S. in 1930. Barnes received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1931 and taught physiology there from 1931 to 1936. The University of Chicago library retains a collection of memorabilia, consisting largely of photographs related to Barnes' time there.

He died on 1 November 1988 in Bend, Oregon.

Hypothyroidism perspective

Barnes developed and promoted a diagnostic test for thyroid function that became known as the "Barnes Basal Temperature Test". This test is performed by placing a thermometer in the armpit for 10 minutes immediately upon waking (for premenopausal women, the test is performed on the 2nd and 3rd day of menstruation). Barnes considered a measurement of or below to be highly indicative of hypothyroidism, especially when hypothyroid symptoms are present. Barnes believed that a reading over was indicative of hyperthyroidism, unless a patient had advanced arthritis, which he claimed would falsely elevate the temperature due to muscle contractions.

The details of the test were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in August 1942. In his books, Barnes argued that hypothyroidism affected more than 40% of the American population, Barnes believed that many common diseases, including heart disease, cancer, depression, arthritis, diabetes, the common cold, tonsillitis, ear infections, apparent laziness in children, various menstrual disorders, and skin disorders, were all caused or exacerbated by hypothyroidism. that female bitterings, small carp-like fish, "show an enlargement of the ovipositor following injection of an estrogenic preparation". The Barnes, et al., 1936, publication in Science was also reported in Time.

Books