[Lithium prophylaxis].

The author considers some difficulties and discrepancies in the diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizo-affective psychoses on the one hand and manic-depressive psychosis on the other in a group of out-patients receiving treatment with lithium for the prophylaxis of affective disorders. Factors common to both groups and being the basis for the selection of lithium prophylaxis are considered. Special attention in these cases is paid to the course of the disease.