["A completely new global situation?" Homoeopathic publishing and modern world in the 1950s and 1960s]. / "Eine völlig neue Weltsituation"? Homöopathische Publizistik und moderne Zivilisation in den 1950er und 1960er Jahren.

This explorative paper analyses the Allgemeine Homiopathische Zeitung (AHZ) in the 1950ies and 1960ies, paying particular attention to how the homoeopathic physicians who published there commented on modernity in medicine and society. Toxicology, endocrinology, cybernetics and neural therapy were discussed by them as possible links with biomedicine. Modern civilization was mainly portrayed as pathogenic, but sometimes that very fact was seen as a chance for homoeopathy. Also, many authors of the AHZ had a positive view on some aspects of modern medicine and technology. The paper ends by discussing possibilities for further research in contemporary history based on journal publications by homoeopathic doctors.

Patterns of illicit drug use in the Army.

The authors collected detailed histories of illicit drug use in the Army in individual interviews with a stratified random sample of 262 enlisted men at six military posts across the United States. Approximately half of the sample (N equals 128) were classified as drug users; 90 of these individuals were identified as career multiple-drug users. Most of these subjects used a variety of drugs in frequently changing patterns. The authors emphasize the individualistic nature of drug use and question the appropriateness of an addiction model for most users of illicit drugs.

Prevalence of psychotropic medication in childhood and adolescence in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The use of psychotropic drugs in childhood and adolescence has been the subject of intense debate during the last few years. Allegations about the excessive consumption and overprescription of these substances in younger age groups play an important role in the public discussion. In this situation it would be useful to present relevant data on the prescription volume of psychotropic drugs in childhood and adolescence. The present investigation comprises data of 1985 using the GKV drug index and the IMS prescription index. According to the authors' results the prescription volume of these drugs is significantly lower than estimated in previous pilot studies. Illustrating the prescriptions by means of a drug profile, type and prevalence of psychotropic medication in children and adolescents are clearly distinguished from those of other age groups by the greater use of homeopathics and phytopharmaceutics. Among the psychotropics the neuroleptics represent the largest group. In comparison with international drug prevalence studies the prescription volume of psychostimulants is extremely low in the Federal Republic of Germany.

[Do we need an "alternative medicine?"]. / Brauchen wir eine "alternative Medizin"?

After an enumeration of synonyms of "alternative medicine" the term "natural healing methods" is defined. As it transpires, not all methods so earmarked are "according to nature". Therefore, permission to doctors to assign this "specialism" to their qualifications as a supplementary faculty seems no longer justified. Some methods of so-called alternative medicine (e.g.acupuncture, and homoeopathy) are critically discussed. As a conclusion, the question wether an "alternative medicine" is required, can only be answered in the negative, because only one medicine employing serious methods and taking no undue risks, is needed.

Some childhood antecedents of drug and alcohol abuse.

Unsatisfactory intrafamilial relationships and child-rearing practices have frequently been implicated as prime determinants of personalities that are susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse. Five thousand forty-four US Army soldiers were surveyed by anonymous questionnaires. The reported occurrence of a variety of activities, events and behaviors in childhood among drug and alcohol abusers were compared to non users. Childhood antecedents that were associated with non-use of illegal drugs and which showed as much as a 20% difference in reported occurrence between abusers and non-users of illegal drugs were: spanking, church attendance, first alcoholic drink after 15 years, and perceived "happy" parental marriage. These associations were found uithin white and non-white groups and in subjects with divorced or separated parents. There was no antecedent that showed as much as a 20% difference in reported occurrence between alcohol abusers and non-users.

[Tilidin (Valoron) abuse. Results of an enquiry of drug consumers (author's transl)]. / Tilidin (Valoron)-Missbrauch. Ergebnisse einer Befragung von Drogenkonsumenten

Contrary to previous clinical reports tilidin (Valoron), valuable as a strong analgesic, can replace opiates in young people addicted to them. In the drug scene, therefore, Valoron - very often through irresponsible medical prescription - has become a substitute for opiates. The results of an enquiry about Valoron abuse in 44 opiate addicts are reported. Four cases of isolated Valoron addiction are included which were indistinguishable from the typical career of an opium addict. Further cases of Valoron abuse, estimated at 600, have been mentioned to us, partly by name and partly by number. Doctors and pharmacists are urgently advised to treat Valoron with the same caution prescribed for opiates by the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (= Narcotics Act).