Studies on Pancreatitis

In the same year as von Mering and Minkowski (1889) produced experimental diabetes in dogs by ligating the pancreatic duct, Fitz (1889), of Boston, described a case of " acute catastrophic inflammation of the pancreas." It is a regrettable fact that, 63 years later, the knowledge of exocrine and endocrine physiology of the gland, based on the brilliant work of Pavlov ( There are several reasons why this should be so: in the first place, pancreatitis is often difficult to diagnose, for the most suggestive symptom-pain-is variable both in site and in intensity, and is closely mimicked by other intra-abdominal conditions; secondly, diagnostic laboratory tests are by no means infallible; and, finally, little is known of the pathology of pancreatitis.