On: In Raising the World’s I.Q., the Secret’s in the Salt (2006)

[hycaria]

IIRC, the deficiency was mostly prevalent in the Alps, where the distance from sea and avaibility of iodine rich foods was the most unfavorable.

[ginko → hycaria]

There's even a piece of the traditional regional dress called a "goiter band" in Bavaria and Austria.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kropfband

[nik61 → hycaria]

I remember reading that, even in the English countryside in the past, goitre was frequent among those who 'drank pond water' and thus missed out on any soluble naturally-occurring additives. And the cause was a mystery to everyone, of course.

[valesco → hycaria]

Hence the French expression "crétin des Alpes" to designate an idiot.