[Investigation of the excretory function of the pancreas in later life by means of secretin and pancreozymin (author's transl)].

The investigation of the excretory function of the pancreas in subjects of various age groups has shown that digestive activity can be assessed only by means of secretin and pancreozymin. Stimulation with secretin (dose: 2 international units per kilogram of body weight of the subject) done twice within 60 minutes or a twofold combined secretin-pancreozymin test yield the most reliable data on the excretory functional capacity of the pancreas and its secretory reserve in elderly people. The data from subjects of various age groups--young, old and very old--can be used as a guideline for setting up standards for various age groups. They are also important for functional diagnosis and for differentiating between age-dependent functional changes and pathological conditions of the pancreas.