ABSTRACT
The question of whether lithium is an essential trace element is not settled (1). Possibly the most orally toxic among alkali metal salts, it is found uniformly distributed throughout the animal and human organism in extremely small quantities. In healthy individuals the levels in plasma and in the erythrocytes are 90 and 95 nEq/L, respectively (1). The element has important psychotropic, hematopoietic, immunomodulating, and antiviral properties. In medicine, different lithium salts have various uses, e.g., the bromide is a hypnotic and sedative. Lithium chloride once was used as a condiment in place of table salt; however, since it became apparent that this resulted in significant accumulation and corresponding toxic effects, it is no longer used for this purpose.
