Abstract
In the former communication which considered the pancreatic secretions in chronic malnutrition in infants, it was found that various ferments of the gland are normally secreted even in advanced instances of marasmus or atrophy. In the present study of an acute disease, of acute intestinal indigestion or alimentary intoxication, which was carried out also by the direct method, by the use of the duodenal catheter the lipase was found deficient, although the two other pancreatic ferments were present in considerable amount. The deficiency of lipase seemed to some degree characteristic of this disturbance; it is not a general characteristic of all febrile conditions and was not met with in pneumonia or empyema. It is possible that the lack of lipolytic activity in this disease should be correlated with the clinical manifestation of fat intolerance, and the metabolic studies showing a deficient absorption of fat.
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