PANCREATIC FUNCTION AND DISEASE IN EARLY LIFE

Abstract

The use of secretin as a test substance for the study of pancreatic function has increased extensively in recent years but has been limited, as far as can be determined, to normal adults and to adult patients.¹The studies reported here were carried out to supply data concerning the effect of secretin on the pancreatic function of infants and children and to ascertain its usefulness as a diagnostic aid in studies of pancreatic disease in early life. The discovery by Bayliss and Starling in 1902 of the hormone secretin was followed by numerous unsuccessful attempts to make clinical use of this observation.^1aThe recent isolation of secretin from the intestinal mucosa as a crystalline salt, by Hammarsten, and the preparation by Agren of a substance suitable for clinical work have permitted a number of investigations of the action of secretin within the last few years.^1aAs observed