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An increased plasma lactate concentration (PLC) is a recognized danger signal often found in cases of shock, septicaemia, hepatic and renal failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis. In 120 patients with abdominal complaints, we found the PLC to be above normal limits in 96 per cent (24/25) of the mesenteric ischaemia subgroup, in all 20 of the general bacterial peritonitis subgroup, in 30 per cent (6/20) of the acute pancreatitis subgroup, and in about half of the 25 cases of intestinal obstruction. In all other abdominal conditions represented (n = 30), comprising various inflammatory or infectious abdominal diseases, the PLC was within the normal range. In patients with abdominal complaints, an increased PLC usually indicates the needs of emergency surgery. In the present series, the PLC manifested a sensitivity of 96 per cent and a specificity of 38 per cent as a marker of mesenteric ischaemia, and was also found to be a useful aid in the diagnosis of bowel obstruction and general bacterial peritonitis.