Article Text
Articles
Lithium in mania and depression
Abstract
In 1949 Cade1 introduced lithium into psychiatric use in Australia demonstrating its efficacy in the treatment of manic excitement. Unfortunately the drug almost immediately acquired a sinister reputation in the United States when its use as a salt substitute in cardiac patients caused a number of deaths from lithium poisoning.2 In Europe the advent of chlorpromazine and reserpine in the early 1950’s delayed the development of lithium; but in the last few years interest has revived as knowledge of fluid balance and mineral metabolism in affective disorders has increased.3