Never before has such a history of the pancreas been presented. From antiquity until today, "rediscovery," translation and sequential presentation, in step with cultural changes in society, make this a unique contribution. Only from the perspective of the two octogenarian-authors could such a narrative have been produced. Discoveries resulting either from chance observation or careful scientific inquiry "come alive" as the authors present not only the people who made them but the setting in which they occurred.

Key Features:
*From the pre-Christian era of Asia Minor, to Greece, Rome, Europe and America, to the explosive progress in Japan, the dreams, near-misses and great discoveries have been traced to their sources.
*The great discoveries of the anatomists, WirsA1/4ng, Santorini, Oddi, Vater and their colleagues have been recreated from their original reports.
*Physiology is traced through the discovery of the digestive enzymes; the islets, by the Berlin student for whom they were named; the hormones, beginning with the dramatic discoveries of insulin, gastrin and their fascinating tumors.
*Diseases of the pancreas, particularly pancreatitis and cancer, but also congenital anomalies and trauma, are described from the era preceding the microscope to the dawn of the 21st Century.
*The explosive developments of imaging, diagnosis and pancreatic transplantation are presented, leading to the development of the challenging field of Pancreatology - its science and clinical practice.
*Finally the authors, having spent many years distilling the contribution of the giants of the past and present, present a thought provoking Chapter entitled "Lessons from Historyand their Application to the Future."

Never before has a comprehensive history of the pancreas like History of the Pancreas been published. It not only is a historical review of the science of medicine, it is liberally interspersed with anecdotal vignettes of the researchers who have worked on this organ. Much of it, such as the discovery of the duct of Wirsung, of the islets of Langerhans, of insulin, gastrin and their tumors, reads like the adverture, which it is. This book, divided into 14 chapters, is written in a narrative style and is easily readable, as glimpses of the investigators, those who failed as well as those who succeeded, adds both perspective and human interest. Each chapter is completely referenced, totaling over 1500 references. As a reference book for students, teachers, investigators, writers, its detailed hjistorical documentation is unique. From the pre-Christian era of Asia Minor, to Greece, Rome, Europe and America, to the explosive progress in Japan, the history is there. History of the Pancreas: Mysteries of a Hidden Organ fills a gap.

Former British army officer, Roger St. John, was content to leave the horrors of the battlefield for a Texas cattle ranch. But his newfound peace is shattered when Union troops steal his cattle and slaughter his loyal ranch hands. Enraged, St. John joins the Confederate Army to wreak havoc on the Union and the Union officer responsible for the needless bloodshed. As one of Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan's Raiders, St. John serves as a spy and saboteur, living off the land for two harsh years. Disillusioned with the war and the Confederate Army leadership, he longs to return home to his ranch. Just when he thinks he can reclaim his life, powerful enemies conspire against him in a way he could never have imagined. St. John must use all his wits and skill to survive