PANCREATIC FUNCTION IN A CASE OF NONTROPICAL SPRUE

There are only scattered references either to pancreatic function or to the use of pancreatic preparations in cases of nontropical or tropical sprue throughout the literature over a period of years. Among the early investigators of the enzyme test on external secretions of the pancreas in cases of sprue are Brown,¹ Ashford² and Castellani.³ More recently, Sokhey and Malandkar⁴ and Hernandez⁵ have written on this subject. Snell⁶ reported results in 1 of his cases. The results are conflicting, though the tests carried out according to more recently acceptable methods on "fasting duodenal contents" show normal or increased lipase activity, normal trypsin activity and normal or depressed amylase activity. There is a great deal of criticism with regard to the methods used in this type of study and with regard to the value of these tests as an indication of actual pancreatic function. McClure and Jones⁷ and Ivy⁸ have written excellent