Cystic change in the pancreas; its experimental production.

Abstract

IN 1945, an unusual change was observed in the pancreas of an infant who had died from dysentery associated with nutritional edema resulting from a diet lacking animal protein. The change consisted in cystic atrophy of a small part of the acinar tissue. Other parts of the excretory system and the islets seemed to have remained intact. Reproduction of the change experimentally was attempted by the use of various deficient diets and toxic agents. Trials to induce the lesion by dietary means were successful. 1 However, chronic poisoning by small doses of carbon tetrachloride brought about regular production of this change in our series. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD Male albino rats of the same strain, ranging in weight from 160 to 190 Gm., were used. They were fed a well balanced stock diet, with a liberal supplement of water-soluble vitamins and cod liver oil with added vitamin A. The daily amount of