THE PANCREAS 



It is probable that the cryptorrhoeic cells of the 

 pancreas have no direct relation to the genital functions, 

 although no doubt the influence of the pancreas on the 

 general metabolism and possibly on the other hormono- 

 poietic organs of the individual may exert an indirect 

 control. 



It has been shown by Lafon 1 that when the pancreas The secretion 

 is removed from a pregnant bitch, no glycosuria is p anC reas may 

 observed until the uterus is emptied, when the same j>® t c ^ veyed 

 train of symptoms as that seen in the non-pregnant mother. 

 animal — glycosuria, emaciation and death — rapidly 

 supervenes. Lafon therefore came to a conclusion 

 regarding the probable passage of the foetal pancreatic 

 hormones into the maternal circulation in these cir- 

 cumstances similar to the one I have formulated con- 

 cerning the results of thyroidectomy in pregnant cats 

 (p. 53). This matter, which is of extreme interest and 

 importance, has been confirmed in regard to the pan- 

 creas by Carlson 2 and others. 



Crowe, Cushing and Homans 3 have studied the Effect on 

 effect on the pancreas of partial removal of the anterior 5*]^^? 

 lobe of the pituitary, but the results obtained have not movai of pars 

 been very conclusive of any definite changes. In my pituitary. 

 experiments I was unable to find any alterations from 

 the normal in the pancreas : in all cases it appeared to 

 be active. Sweet and Allen 4 lay particular stress on 

 the secretory activity of the pancreas after complete or 

 partial removal of the pituitary. 



1 Lafon, G., Compt. Bend. Soc. Biol, 1913, vol. lxxv, p. 266. 



2 Carlson, A J., Trans. Amer. Gynecol. Soc, 1917, vol. xlii, p. 131. 



3 Crowe, S. J., H. Cushing, and J. Homans, Bull. Johns Hopk. 

 tiosp., 1910, vol. xxi, p. 127. 



4 Sweet, J. E., and A. R. Allen, Ann. Surg., 1913, vol, lvii, p. 485. 



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