[Is there a therapeutic effect of cures undergone by patients with chronic liver disease? (authors transl)].

"Cures" embrace by definition a broad spectrum starting from taking waters in health resorts to hospital treatment in modern rehabilitation centers. The effectiveness of traditional cure procedures is discussed. Effectiveness of drinking cures, baths and mud packs in liver disease has not yet been proven. Controlled trials are necessary. Clinical treatment is indicated in alcoholic liver damage, viral hepatitis with a protracted course, chronic aggressive hepatitis and compensated cirrhosis of the liver; such treatment, however, is questionable in fatty liver and in chronic persistent hepatitis. Data concerning the effectiveness of treatment of chronic liver diseases are given. The following conclusions are drawn: patients with liver disease ought to be hospitalized when undergoing cures, indications have to be precised, collaboration of patients has to be stimulated, hospital discipline has to be tight, therapy of alcoholism has to include several psychosocial aspects, treatment after leaving hospital has to be improved.