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It was also of great interest, that each diabetic dog ceased to eliminate sugar two days after extirpation of the thyroid.

As with the thyroid, the pancreas has also very important relations with the liver. Dr. Steinhaus found, in a research conducted in the laboratory of Professor Minkowski, that in a large number of cases of hepatic cirrhosis there were also similar changes in the pancreas. Similar observations have also been made by Opie, Amato, Kliffel and Lefas,^[134] and others. This may be the reason that in diseases of the liver we have had good results from the administration of pancreatic extract. In every case we have found a better assimilation of food, and especially a better appetite. This stomachic effect of pancreatic extracts we have found in nearly every case and even when the patients were not suffering from pancreatic or hepatic disease. (See also ssss1.)

Still more than the pancreas is the liver indispensable for the maintenance of life. It destroys the deadly poisons which are conveyed to it by the portal vein for neutralization. Besides this it produces certain bodies which help to destroy poisons arising from the decomposition of albuminous food. (See also ssss1.)