In the past few years, several authors have reported their observations of fibrocystic disease of the pancreas. The disease is one of recent recognition, and it is to be expected that the number of reported cases will steadily increase. Because this condition is more prevalent than the literature suggests, a consideration of the syndrome seems appropriate at this time. The disease undoubtedly occurred before the time of Hippocrates, but, fortunately for those who wish to review the literature, descriptions have only recently made their way into medical journals. Not until 1913 was a case of steatorrhea reported which, in the light of present knowledge, was evidently an instance of congenital fibrocystic disease of the pancreas.1 Eleven years passed before the clinical symptoms were associated with the typical pathologic changes in the pancreas.2 Only in the last five years has any appreciable reference been found.3 Being a disease