[The intestinal hormones secretin and pancreozymin, and the study of the secretory pancreatic function in man advanced in years (author's transl)].

The values of the pancreatic function obtained after stimulation with secretin and pancreozymin have to be regarded as a variant of the geriatric norm. They are of significance for functional diagnostics and for differentiating between peculiarities of the pancreatic function caused by old age on the one hand and pathological changes on the other. The decrease in the exocrine pancreatic function, which was observed in actually healthy persons at an advanced age under normal conditions, goes on in most cases without symptoms. In the event of stress situations (faulty diet, diseases of other organs than the gastrointestinal tract) and likewise in the presence of a clinically marked indigestion, the prescription of a substitution therapy is indicated in particular for persons at an advanced age and old people.