[Conservative therapy of liver cirrhosis]

After a short survey on the history of the therapy of liver cirrhosis the importance of the prevention of alcoholism is emphasized. A "liver diet" is regarded as unnecessary, prednisolone is recommended for the treatment of the active cirrhosis. After a short description of the principles of the therapy of biliary cirrhoses, of haemochromatosis and of Wilson's hepatocerebral degeneration the use of restriction of salt, saluretics and aldosterone antagonists in the treatment of ascites is discussed in detail. After description of the conservative therapy of the haemorrhage from varices with the compression sound, intraarterial octapressin infusion and combat against consumption coagulopathy finally the prophylaxis of the hepatoportal encephalopathy with reduction of the protein intake and the restriction of the formation of toxic products of protein metabolism in the intestine by application of neomycin or lactulose, respectively, is described.