It is a matter of common observation that biliary calculi are often found after death when they were unsuspected during life. In some instances the condition is unattended with clinic manifestations, and in others these are so vague in character as not to suggest their true origin. For the diagnosis of gallstones it has been thought necessary that there should be present attacks of hepatic colic, jaundice and the passage by the bowel of the concretions. It has, however, been shown that morbid conditions and manifestations exist independently of, and in the intervals between, attacks of colic.
In a considerable experience at Carlsbad, Pollatscheck (Weiner Med. Woch., April 8, 1899, p. 702), has found that in many of the cases referred to him as examples of cholelithiasis there have been present previously one or more attacks of hepatic colic. In a large proportion of these there was also jaundice, while