De succo pancreatico, or, A physical and anatomical treatise of the nature and office of the pancreatick juice shewing its generation in the body, what diseases arise by its vitiation : from whence in particular, by plain and familiar examples, is accurately demonstrated, the causes and cures of agues, or intermitting feavers, hitherto so difficult and uncertain, with sundry other things of worthy note / written by D. Reg. de Graaf ... ; and translated by Christopher Pack ...

CHAP. IV. In which the Qualities of the Pancrea∣tick Juice are described: By a plain Division of the Glandules of the whole Body, is shown that the Suc∣cus Pancreaticus is not Excremen∣titious: Also, How it is Genera∣ted.

HAving related the Instruments with their manner of applying, there is none but may see that we may easily come to a more intimate knowledge of the Pancreatick Juice, by observing not only the qualities thereof, but also the Quantity which at all hours do flow to the Intestinum Duodenum.

The Qualities of the Pancreatick Juice so collected, both Visible and Tactable, such as we have frequently observed them, we shall here set down for the sake of those who desire to be informed.

As often as we have rightly collected the Pancreatick Juice, we have found it like clear Fountain Water, with some-thing of Viscidi∣ty, but not without the associating of Dissi∣pated Spirits. The Qualities thereof are per∣ceptible to the tast; not alwayes in the same manner in themselves, which denote those Functions depending upon it, not seldome to be vitiated, and the same is evinced by our Experience; For, we sometimes have found it most gratefully acid, sometimes almost insi∣pid, sometimes austere, often times salt, but most often acidly salt.

Of this our Experience, we cite an appro∣ved Witness, the most excellent D. Vander Sprongh, with the most famous Professor Syl∣vius, as also many others who have sometimes been Fellowes of our practical Colledge, who in their presence judged with us, that in such a Collection it were both of an austere, and acidly Salt Sapor.

The notable Effect of the Austerity thereof, then also observed, we will hereafter declare. Now having found out the Pancreatick Juice, that we may clearly and distinctly subject the Generation thereof to your Eyes, we will propose a description of all the Glandules, by distinguishing them with the Famous D. Syl∣vius into Conglobated and Conglomerated. We call them conglobated, which are Consti∣tuted, as it were, from one continued Substance, having an equal Superifices; such as in the Me∣sentery, Neck, Shares, and other parts of the Body, many are found.

But we call those Conglomerated, which rise from many lesser Glandules joyn'd toge∣ther; such are the Pancreas, Salival Ducts, and many others in the Fauces, Nostrils; yea they constitute the Thyme it self, or Glandule, under the Channel bone, concerning which we are willing here to say somewhat of what we have some years since observed, whilst we were Conversant about the dissecting of Calves (in which this Glandule was found very great, and that which is most worthy of note, no less in Calves, than in other Animals, That it is sen∣sibly diminished after the Birth) that this no∣table Ductus was found repleat with a Lim∣pid humor, which we sometime prosecuted; but because, upon the laying open thereof, the Liquor did continually Flow out, the intire Ductus vanished away before we could enter its end: For which reason, we were constrained to defer its further Enquiry till another occasi∣on.

That this Distinction of the Glandules is not Fained but Real, the following Experiment doth prove. As well the Conglomerated as the Conglobated are cloathed with a Coat or Membrane; which being taken away, and a certain Liquor immitted, as well through the Ductus Pancreaticus, as through the Sa∣livales; also by the Arteries of all the Glan∣dules, by the help of a Syringe with divers little pipes fastned to the same, contrived by us, and proposed in our Treatise concerning the Organs of men; as subservient to many

things in Generation; and there will be obser∣ved by a most Elegant Spectacle Conglome∣rated Glandules, receding or parting by course from themselves; especially if from hence the little Membranes, whereby they are connex∣ed, be cut with a Knife: Which, in no wise, is to be expected from the Conglobated Glan∣dules, notwithstanding the greatest dili∣gence.

Besides the Glandules differ among them∣selves, in relation to their Substance: Be∣cause in the ordinary course of Nature, we have found a Cavity in the middle of the Con∣globated Glandules; but not in the Conglo∣merated; which, by that great Expounder of Nature, and by an indissoluble bond of Friendship endeared to us, Nicholas Stenon, we have seen noted; and observed; who in his Anatomical Observations concerning the Con∣globated Glandules, saith:

For, outwardly the Conglobated Glandules are hollow not inwardly like a Bason, yet if you right∣ly enter the Separation between the protuberating Lips on every side, you shall find as it were a Cleft or Chap, by which go forth certain Lym∣phatick Roots returning with the Membrane.

Their Substances differ not only among themselves by way of Connexion, as they are Conglobated and Conglomerated, but also in the peculiar Vessels; for, the Conglobated are given to the Lymphatick Vessels, which to∣wards, and at the Common Ductus Thoraci∣cus, or the Superior Folding thereof, especi∣ally

Conspicuous in Dogs, drive out a Liquor prepared in themselves, or received from ano∣ther. But the Conglomerated dispose their Liquour into peculiar Cavities, as the Saliva∣les into the Mouth, the Pancreas into the Duo∣denum, and so of others.

That the Motion of the Lympha is such, as we have even now asserted, and not from the Centre to the Circumference, is proved by the Values in the Lymphatick Vessels, eve∣ry-where existing, as may be seen in a little Treatise, concerning the Values of the Lym∣phatick Vessels, by the most Famous, and our entire Friend, Dr. Raysch, Anatomyst of Am∣sterdam, Printed Anno 1665. by whose Inde∣fatigable Dilligence, at the same time, was dis∣covered that Vessel which he calleth the Bronchi∣al Artery, by reason that it accompanyeth the Widenings of the Branches of the sharp Ar∣tery through the whole Substance of the Lungs; as may be seen by the Figure there∣of, inserted into his little Book, aforementio∣ned, and worthily Communicated to us.

Seeing that the Duct's, and also the Sub∣stances of the Glandules are diverse, it is worthy our enquiry, Whether the Humour, observed in all the Glandules, be of the same, or a different Quality? But we shall answer, That the same, or like Humour is separated in all the Glandules, of a diverse Species; for one Liquor is deposed in the Conglobated, and ano∣ther in the Conglomerated: For, that which is se∣parated in the Conglobated is all of the same

Nature: which is proved, not only by the Substance of the same Glandules, every where Consimilar, but also by the wayes by which they are all distburdened; for as much, as further ap∣pears to us, ending in the Ductus Thoracicus. Moreover, it is further Demonstrable, by the Liquor of the Conglobated Glandules, ordi∣narily found more Saltish, and less Acid in them, than in the Conglomerated Glan∣dules of the Pancreas; nevertheless more of Acidity, and Salsitude, than that of the Conglomerated Salivales. From whence it is manifest, that a Liquor is separated from the Conglomerated Glandules of the Salivales, and Pancreas not alike in all its Qualities, as we have asserted even now to be done in the Congloba∣ted; in which matter, that we might be more certain, at the same time, and to the same Animal, we applyed the Instrument depicted Tab. II. Fig. II. both to the Ductus Pancreaticus, and to the upper Salivary Duct, as is exhibited Tab. III. Fig. II. But we found a notable di∣versity of the aforesaid Liquors; For, the Salival is either Temperate or Insipid; but the Succus Pancreaticus is acidly Salt, or such like, for the most part, as we have described it in the former Chapter.

Seeing there is a diverse Juice of diverse Glandules, it deserves our enquiry, What use every one may have, and whether it be prosi∣table or unnecessary? That is, Whether it bringeth any Commodity to the Body? Or, Whether it be such as is in no wise Subservi∣ent

to the Oeconomy of the Humane Fabrick? It will not be hard to satisfie this difficulty, e∣specially if we make a more exact Scrutiny in∣to the Motion of those Liquors; for seeing that all the Liquor of the Conglobated Glan∣dules, is inserted into the Ductus Thoracicus, and there permixed with the Chyle, the chief part of Aliments, and with the same may pro∣ceed, and be purged into the Jugular Veine, or left Subclavian Vessel; from whence, being confused with the descending Blood, necessari∣ly passeth through the right Ear of the Heart, into its right Ventricle. We do not see by what name it may be called Excrementitious and unprofitable; because the Excrementiti∣ous Humours are separated from the Blood: so that, according to the Order of Nature, they may not any more be commixed therewith; but are wholly separated from the Body; which is clearly seen in the Urine; the which, being separated from the masse of Blood in the Reines, and thence deduced through the Ureters into the Bladder: from whence, after some stay, according to the Dictate of the Will, by the Urinary passage it is excluded from the Body; so that it can never again return.

So, the Juice of the Conglomerated Glan∣dules, is effused through particular Ducts, in∣to divers Cavities of the Body, where it may be mingled with other Humours necessary for Nourishment, and is least of all to be esteemed for Excrementitious, or Unprofitable. Which that it may likewise, be made known, in like

manner, as we have prosecuted the Liquor of the Conglobated Glandules; so also, we shall follow that of the Conglomerated flowing from the Salivales, and the Pancreas.

The Spittle is separated from the Blood, in the Maxillary Glandules, as well the Superiour as the Inferiour, and is carryed by the said Sa∣lival Ducts, into the Cavity of the Mouth; where it may be mixed with the assumed Ali∣ment, or out of the time of the Aliments As∣sumption, is continually swallowed; the which we never better consider, than whilst we hold somthing in our Mouth; the which, because of the cleanness of the place, in which we are, we will not spit out, neither dare we swallow it down; for the Mouth is very quickly fill'd with Spittle.

Therefore the Spittle, although without our knowledge, is continually swallowed, and mingled, and confused in the stomack with the Aliment, which truly would be very in∣decent, if the same were unprofitable and ex∣crementitious.

The Pancreatick Juice is e••••used in the glan∣dules of the pancreas, after the same manner as the Spittle in the salivales, being continu∣ally separated in a Man about the breadth of four fingers under the Pylorus into the in∣testinum duodenum, and there is mixed with the Aliments already passed the fermentation of the stomack, and with the same is driven downwards by the peristaltick motion of the Gutts; in which propulsion the greatest part thereof, together with the more pure and

liquid part of the Aliment is carried to the venae Lacteae, and thence to the Cistern; from thence it penetrates through the Ductus Tho∣racicus to the subclavian Vein, and so for∣ward to the right Ventricle of the Heart; which indeed would happen against reason, if the said humours were Excrementitious, and unprofitable to the oeconomy of the body of Man.

To this Opinion, besides Sylvius, agrees Godofri∣dus Moebius, who in his Physiological foundations of Medicine, c. 12. concerning the use of the Inte∣stines, thus speaketh:

But this Juice (namely the Pancreatick) seeing that it may be admixed with the Chyle, together with the Bile in the Duodenum, without all doubt it further helps and promotes its Fermentation: For, if the pure purged Excrement should be of no use, Nature would have derived that Channel to the lower Intestines, wherein hard and un∣profitable Excrements are lodged, not to the Superiour, where the Chyle begun in the Stomach, ought to be perfected.

Seeing than that by Reasons and Experi∣ments, already sufficiently inferd, it is mani∣fest, That the Humours, as well of the Con∣globated, as the Conglomerated Glandules, are not Excrementitious. We think fit, before we proceed any further, to propose their Way or Mode of Generation.

It hath been, in times past, believed by the Antients, (to say nothing concerning Faulties, and other their Figments) that the Glandules

did imbile Superfluous Humidities, like unto Sponges. But to the Neotericks, it seemed af∣ter a more attentive Examination of their Structure, that this Simillitude was greatly wide of the Truth; by reason the Glandules are not every where open to the Pores, but are sufficiently cloathed on all sides with a strong Membrane; & therefore they think that nothing entreth into the Glandules, unless it be thither propelled by the Arteries and Nerves.

But the Arteries carry the Humours of every kind to the Glandules, under the Colour of Blood; every of which, by reason of a cer∣tain Disposition of the Pores, even as Seives do admit such Particles of the Humours, which in respect of their Magnitude, and Figure, have the greatest Analogy, with the little Pores; in the mean while excluding others, which have with them a lesser Simillitude; which therefore by the name of Blood, are constrained to return to the Heart; from whence, being more exalted in their passage, they are presently driven indiscriminately, by the Pulsifick force thereof, to the Glandules, and other parts of the Body; but, notwith∣standing the Particles fitted to the Generation of the Pancreatick Juice, are no where more easily separated than in the Pancreas, no where more serous than in the Reins, no where more commodiously Bilious than in the Liver; & so of the rest: Because there are some parts of the Body which do more commodiously receive this or that Humour into the Pores than others.

Nature hath therefore invented a singular Artifice, whereby it doth so happily absolve so diverse a work, in diverse parts of Animals; which they do less admire, who diligently con∣sider with themselves, that the like thing doth necessarily happen in Plants: For, we see va∣rious Plants, posited in the same Sand, each to admit a peculiar Juice; which, nevertheless, is so Homo-geneous, that it may contain in it self diverse Particles, as we see in Trees, where∣on, by the Industry of Gardeners, divers Fruits do grow; whereas also divers Branch∣es or Twigs are grafted into the same Stock; which by reason of the different Constituti∣on of their Pores, they admit this, and not that part of the Liquor or Sap, others being excluded, which have a lesser Affinity with their Pores.

The which things being equally gran∣ted, we may inferre, that the matter fitted to the generation of the Pancreatick Juice, is separated from the Blood by a certain dispo∣sition of the Pancreas; yet not so exactly, but that it may bring divers other Particles with it; as occular Inspection doth ascertain us to hap∣pen in the Reins; in which indeed primarily the more Serous Particles of the blood, after the man∣ner of Transcolation, are separated from its in∣tire Masse; yet, nevertheless, we note those many Saline, Bilious, and other Humours; which are, as it were, snatcht away therewith, by reason of them or those Particles largely abounding in the Body; in like manner as Chy∣mistry

doth Demonstrate all these things to our Eyes, as clear as the Meridian Light.

The Animal Spirits joyne themselves to the Succus Pancreaticus by a continual Circula∣tion, continually separated from the Blood, with which, being joyn'd together by an Ami∣cable Connexion, they run into the Intestinum Duodenum. From whence it is Conspicu∣ous, that our Pancreatick Juice is not sim∣ple, but compounded of divers; this especially, Acid, Aqueous, Saline, and other Particles therein found, adjoyned to the Animal Spi∣rits; by whose Volatile Sweetnesse the force of Acids is restrained; whence it happens, that the Pancreatick Juice is Naturally Acidly-Tem∣perate.

Some may say, after what manner may the Pancreatick Juice be Acidly Temperate, seeing that in the Precedent Chapter we have said, that it is very often Acidly-salt, and naturally may be said to be such as alwayes, or for the most part, it hap∣peneth to be? But, we shall Answer, That perhaps it so happeneth in Dogs onely; because they ought to digest Bones, and other things of a harder Concoction, but in Men we judge there is no such Salsitude existant or required; Because, in Men, that which is Vomited, is either Insipid, or Bitter, or Acid, very rarely, and perhaps never Acid∣ly Salt; the which undoubtedly would happen

if their Pancreatick Juice were Naturally such.

But being granted, that in men, likewise as in Dogs, it may naturally be Acidly Salt, Whether then will our Hypothesis run? No∣whither: Because a Salsitude joyned to it, as hereafter shall be declared, doth no way im∣pede its primary Operation.