[The problems of alcoholism amongst primary-school pupils as reflected in Polish medical journals of 1923-1938]

During the period between the two World Wars (1918-1939), alcoholism was a fairly common occurrence in Poland among primary-school pupils. Physicians, educators, social workers and central--as well as local-government institutions were involved in combating this disease and, above all, stopping its spread. Polish medical journals of the inter-war period played a dominant role in that struggle. They presented the results of anti-alcohol surveys conducted amongst primary-school children, published reports on the activities of anti-drinking societies and organisations and showed the harmful influence of alcohol on young bodies. They also pointed out methods of preventing the rise of alcoholism amongst children. This article is based on an analysis of numerous writings published in several medical journals dealing with children's alcoholism. It discusses the anti-alcohol tests carried out amongst primary-school children in selected Polish cities and towns from 1923 to 1938. On the basis of the completed questionnaires it shows the reasons for the emergence of alcoholism amongst children and presents the methods used at that time to prevent the disease.