The literature on the pharmacological effects and clinical applications of amphetamines has become so extensive over the past two decades and continues to grow that it has become challenging for the practicing physician, who is pressed for time, to stay updated on the truly important developments. This small book does not claim to provide a comprehensive account of the literature up to the present day. It is intended merely to serve as a guide for the practical physician on when and when not to prescribe this truly valuable, yet often misused medication, and in what dosage. It is largely based on personal experiences, supplemented by relevant information from recent publications.

Table of Contents
Chapter I Historical Introduction
Chapter II Pharmacology
Chapter III Obesity
Chapter IV States of Fatigue and Depression
Chapter V Narcolepsy
Chapter VI Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
Chapter VII Barbiturate Poisoning
Chapter VIII Psychopathic States
Chapter IX Enuresis and Other Behavioral Disorders in Childhood
Author and Subject Index

Chapter I Historical Introduction
The history of amphetamines begins in 1887 when L. Edeleanos first synthesized the volatile amino-β-phenylisopropylamine (amphetamine) from phenylmethylacrylic acid. In 1910, George Barger and H. H. (now Sir Henry) Dale, who were working on aromatic amines in the physiological research laboratories of Wellcome, described a series of similar substances that they called 'sympathomimetics.' For the next 17 years, researchers' interest focused on ephedrine.