chap, xvii.] THE KIDNEY. 361 



on any part of the pancreas during the operation. 

 There are two reasons for this precaution : " First, we 

 know that after ligature of the parotid (a gland of like 

 character to the pancreas) great swelling and numer- 

 ous small abscesses not infrequently form, leading 

 to necrosis of portion of the gland ; secondly, there is 

 some fear that (in pyloric resections) the secretion 

 escaping from the pancreas may dissolve the cicatrix 

 of the stomach by its peptonising properties " (Billroth). 



The common bile duct is covered by, or included 

 in, the head of the pancreas. It thus happens that 

 in carcinoma of this part of the gland the duct may 

 become entirely occluded and jaundice result. Or the 

 duodenum and even the colon may be more or less 

 obstructed by pressure, or the neighbouring vessels be 

 closed. 



Certain remarkable cysts are sometimes developed 

 in the pancreas. They may attain great size and 

 nearly fill the abdomen. Their contents consist 

 mainly of altered pancreatic secretion, and when the 

 cyst has been opened the escaped fluid is apt to 

 exercise a digestive action on the skin. 



THE KIDNEY. 



In front. 



Right. Left. 



Under surface of liver. Pundus of stomach. 



Second part of duodenum. Com- Descending colon, 



mencement of transverse colon. Pancreas. 

 Ascending colon. 



Externally. 

 (On left side) Spleen. 



Behind. 



Lower part of arch of diaphragm. 

 Quadratus Iinnborum Psoas. 



The kidneys are deeply placed, and cannot be felt 

 and distinctly identified when normal. They are 



