[Metabolic function of the liver in middle-aged and elderly patients with peritonitis].

From analysis of experimental (576 rats) and clinical (104 patients) materials, the authors drew the conclusion that the pharmacological activity of certain drugs metabolized in the liver increased markedly in old rats with experimental peritonitis. The drug-metabolizing function of the liver was inhibited significantly in peritonitis in elderly and senile patients. A method was developed for establishing the stages of peritonitis.