Solvent Abuse

The recreational use of gases and vapours dates from the end of the 18th century and may be seen as a concomitant of the scientific advances that preceded the Industrial Revolution. In this century, solvent abuse has often occurred in epidemic rashes in many countries, and the range of readily available products has been wide. In addition to gasoline, thinners and the various solvent-based glues, the list includes paints, lacquers, varnishes, aerosol products, dry-cleaning and degreasing agents and nail varnish, as well as typewriter correction fluids and butane gas. This book is an inquiry into the phenomenon of solvent abuse and its neuropsychological consequences.