The prevalence of cholelithiasis and of infections of the bile tract, as the essential etiologic factors in the production of the great majority of the cases of pancreatitis, demands most thoughtful consideration, as must the fact that pancreatitis, in itself, may become an incurable condition or, by extension of the inflammatory process to the islands of Langerhans, result in a fatal diabetes. The general recognition of these now well-established facts by the profession should lead, not alone to the surgical removal of gallstones in every instance, but, as well, to the performance of the necessary operation at the earliest possible moment, before opportunity is given for the secondary involvement of the pancreas, as a prophylactic measure aimed against a probable pancreatitis and a possible diabetes. If we are to operate successfully on the gall tract, not alone for the prevention of the serious terminal events in that tract depending on