My initial purpose in writing this book was to offer readers an update of my book Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects (Plenum, 1984), which con tained a broad overview of the history (actually the absence of any history) ofthe awareness of alcohol's teratogenic potential; a review of alcohol's pharmacology, especially with respect to pregnancy; a survey of the physical and behavioral effects of prenatal alcohol exposure; and an overview of the mechanisms sus pected of being responsible for those effects. I have omitted most of the previously examined historical and pharmacologi cal information because not much of what was previously discussed needed revision. On the other hand, because much more has been learned about the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure and its potential mechanisms of action, I have considerably expanded my discussion of these topics. In doing so, I have attempted to include as much new material as possible without (I hope) being overly pedantic and thereby losing the proverbial forest for the trees. No book is ever entirely neutral in the topics it discusses, the issues it raises, or in its conclusions. In sifting through hundreds and oftentimes thousands of articles, writers have to choose which facts to emphasize and which to ignore. Every idea cannot be chronicled and every article cannot (and should not) be cited. In going about the business of picking and choosing, however, a writer has an obligation to present the arguments for and against a particular conclusion."

Recognition of the relationship between alcohol abuse and adverse prenatal outcomes is reflected in the warning labels on every alcoholic beverage sold in the United States. Because alcohol abuse has serious consequences for both individuals and society as a whole, much research has been devoted to this problem. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome provides straightforward facts regarding the impact of alcohol consumption as it affects the development of the embryo and fetus. Surveying current research of fetal alcohol syndrome and its related problems, the book addresses the immediate effects on development at various stages. Long-term action of prenatal alcohol exposure later in life is also considered. A chapter devoted to assessing the behavior of children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol emphasizes the necessity of longitudinal studies of fetal alcohol syndrome. This important reference offers a thorough overview of a problem that cannot be ignored.

My initial purpose in writing this book was to offer readers an update of my book Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects (Plenum, 1984), which con tained a broad overview of the history (actually the absence of any history) ofthe awareness of alcohol's teratogenic potential; a review of alcohol's pharmacology, especially with respect to pregnancy; a survey of the physical and behavioral effects of prenatal alcohol exposure; and an overview of the mechanisms sus pected of being responsible for those effects. I have omitted most of the previously examined historical and pharmacologi cal information because not much of what was previously discussed needed revision. On the other hand, because much more has been learned about the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure and its potential mechanisms of action, I have considerably expanded my discussion of these topics. In doing so, I have attempted to include as much new material as possible without (I hope) being overly pedantic and thereby losing the proverbial forest for the trees. No book is ever entirely neutral in the topics it discusses, the issues it raises, or in its conclusions. In sifting through hundreds and oftentimes thousands of articles, writers have to choose which facts to emphasize and which to ignore. Every idea cannot be chronicled and every article cannot (and should not) be cited. In going about the business of picking and choosing, however, a writer has an obligation to present the arguments for and against a particular conclusion."

In cultures throughout human history people have believed that some part of themselves continued to exist after they died. Part of that belief is that living can influence what happens to the dead in the afterlife, and the dead can return from the afterlife to affect the living. "Death Gods: An Encyclopedia of the Rulers, Evil Spirits, and Geographies of the Dead" describes the many ways the afterlife--especially that part of the afterlife commonly known as Hell--has been characterized in myths from around the world. The hundreds of entries provide readers with a guide to the afterlife as portrayed in these myths - its geography, its rulers, its inhabitants, how they got there, and what happens after their arrival. While the Devil is a prominent resident and ruler of the afterworld in many religions, especially Christianity, this book examines many other versions of Hell whether presided over by the Devil, Hades, or one of the many other rulers of the dead.

"Death Gods" provides concise encyclopedic entries on all aspects of the mythology of the afterlife: The underworlds form the myths of cultures from across the globe--for example, Xibalba, the underworld of the Quiche Maya; Di Yu, the underground realm of the dead in Chinese mythology; the gods and demons of the afterlife--the Hindu god of death and justice Yama; Ahriman, the evil twin of the benevolent god Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrian mythology; Buso, the invisible ghouls who haunt graveyards and feed on human corpses in Philippine mythology. The volume includes an extensive bibliography of the most useful resources for understanding the mythology of death and the afterlife.

Myths from the ancient world usually have some supernatural element, a component often generated from a particular intoxicant. These substances promoted a variety of states, including possession by the gods, liberation of the soul or a communion with the spirit world. From Acan, the Mayan god of intoxicating drinks, to Zagreus, the first incantation of Greek Dionysus, this encyclopaedia encompasses intoxicant-related stories from world mythology that explain the origins of a particular intoxicant or how that intoxicant was involved in creating a particular culture. Entries are arranged alphabetically without regard to category (e.g., gods, intoxicants, places, and rites). Different versions of a single myth are presented when pertinent to the overriding theme. Entries record the referenced story, the identity of the culture in which the myth originated, and when applicable information about related plant sources and pharmacological effects. Cross-references are noted in bold and sources appear at the end of each entry. Appendices group entries by category and by place of origin.

Spontaneous abortion, a pattern of defects labeled fetal alcohol syndrome, and more subtle behavioral disturbances that occur in the absence of observable physical anomalies are some of the damaging effects of alcohol, now recognized as one of the leading known causes of birth defects in the western world. So grave are the apparent consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy that a new U.S. law requires warning labels to appear on all alcoholic beverages. This label represents the culmination of numerous clinical and experimental studies conducted over the last 15 years. Prompted by an abundance of new information in the area of fetal alcohol exposure, this second bibliography on the subject to be published by Greenwood Press supplements Abel's first volume that contained 3,000 citations and included literature on the subject published between 1973 (the year in which fetal alcohol syndrome was first reported) and 1984. The present volume, covering the years 1983 to 1988 inclusive contains 1,818 entries and adds some important new references for the years 1983 and 1984. In number, breadth, and completeness, the citations contained here go beyond current data bases. Entries are arranged alphabetically by author and in the case of multiple citations by author, the citations are listed chronologically for that author. Where an author has had 2 or more publications in a year, the citations for that year are listed alphabetically by title. Citations are also listed according to the number of authors in a manner that provides easy access to the information. Each item has been numbered consecutively and is referred to by number in the Subject Index which has been compiled not only on the basis of title, but also based on the information contained in the reference. Abel's introduction serves as a concise, fact-filled overview of this important and timely subject. Students and scholars in the medical field, as well as alcohol counselors and others dealing with pregnancy or the affected children will find this resource invaluable.

Viruses are one of the three main causes of infectious diseases, the most common source of acute disease, and a major contributor to chronic disease. More than 400 different diseases are known to affect humans, causing problems ranging from mild respiratory diseases to AIDS. The first reference work of its kind, this bibliography contains references relating to the effects of viruses on reproduction, especially pregnancy and fetal development. Although this bibliography deals primarily with the consequences of viral infections, it also contains entries for some bacterial infections, such as toxoplasmosis and syphilis, that are part of the TORCH categorization of congenital infectious diseases. The citations are arranged alphabetically by author and numbered consecutively. A detailed subject index guides the reader to specialized topics. Clinicians and researchers will find Viruses and Reproduction an indispensable tool for accessing vital research on the effects of viruses on reproduction.

This bibliography lists references to homicide published in scientific literature through 1984. The entries are arranged alphabetically, and they cover every aspect of the subject, including statistics, demographics, theories, and legal implications. Abel's introduction outlines the work that has been done in the field of homicide. He outlines the various explanations of homicide and briefly discusses the problems involved in deterrence. A subject index completes the volume.

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This work represents the most detailed bibliography yet published on the effects of alcohol consumption on a developing fetus. In addition to listing original scientific articles describing these effects, the bibliography also includes scientific and popular press reviews of the growing body of literature on fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Citations refer to material addressing the legal ramifications of fetal alcohol exposure as well as public policy issues.

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A mother's narcotics abuse can have profound effects on her pregnancy and the health of her child, both inside and outside the womb. Spontaneous abortion, premature birth, labor difficulties, increased perinatal and neonatal mortality, respiratory distress, low birth weight, and passed on addiction are just some of the possibilities. Ernest Abel's Narcotics and Reproduction: A Bibliography is the first comprehensive listing of the scholarly research literature produced on this subject. Arranged alphabetically by author, the book lists materials dealing with the effects of the use of heroin, morphine, methadone, and related drugs on sexual function, reproduction, and the fetus.

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This guide to genetic disorders that tend to affect the Jewish population more than the non - Jewish begins with a short history of the Jews and basic facts concerning genetics and genetic disorders. The in-depth information that follows is categorized under blood, cancers, central nervous system, connective tissue, gastrointestinal, metabolic or endocrine, respiratory, sensory, and skin. Included for each disorder is information on variations, frequency, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, transmission, treatment and prevention, and notes on where more information about each disorder can be obtained. A glossary of terms and index are provided.

The annotated bibliography that follows summarizes some of the more important studies that have been published concerning smoking and its effects on the fetus along with reports of the various efforts that have been undertaken to reduce the impact of smoking during pregnancy. The material has been divided into topics to guide the reader and cross-references are included at the end of each section. An Author Index is also included to guide the reader to relevant publications when only an author's name is known. The following comments constitute an overall summary of the literature.