SINCE THE first comprehensive study of acute pancreatitis made by Fitz1in 1889, most descriptions of the disease cite pain as the outstanding symptom.2-15Only recently has attention been drawn to certain unusual forms of pancreatitis without pain,16and in at least two studies mention is made of acute painless pancreatitis.17,18The purpose of this communication is to report two such cases studied in the course of the last seven years. Report of Cases Case 1. —A 22-year-old white man was hospitalized in December 1956 for tonsillectomy. Past history revealed only tonsillitis in the preceding five years. His alcoholic intake was moderate and occasional. He denied previous symptoms attributable to the digestive tract. Physical examination was normal, showing only undernourishment, and all the laboratory studies were normal. On Dec 11, 1956, tonsillectomy was performed with local anesthesia. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was