Learning, multiple equilibria, and the state: Agriculture’s role

This article will argue that the state must learn to pursue productivity enhancing rather than predatory policies if rapid long-run development is to occur in poor countries. These productivity enhancing strategies will most likely involve investment coordination. However, such coordination of investment in manufacturing is likely to fail in less developed countries as a result of low productivity in the traditional, agricultural sector. More importantly, investment coordination in agriculture is more likely to be successful especially if this is a broad based investment strategy involving the bulk of the population. In this context, the state will learn effective policies for coordinating development. Alternatively, if the agricultural sector is ignored and productivity here remains low, investment coordination in manufacturing will likely fail, and the state will learn to become a predator. Richard Grabowski is professor of economics at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale     

Suicide in Fulton County, Georgia (1975-1984)

Demographic and trend analysis of 881 consecutive suicides in blacks and whites is presented. For the years 1975 through 1984, the suicide rate was 15.1/100 000 and did not significantly change. White males were overrepresented in all age groups, had an overall suicide rate of 34.9, and showed a small but statistically significant increase in rate which was not accounted for by any specific age group. White females, in general, were represented in proportion to their prevalence in the population, and those ages 20 to 24 demonstrated an increasing suicide rate which was small. Black males were at highest risk in their twenties, showed no significant trends, and were also represented near their prevalence in the population. Black females of all ages were underrepresented, and had low suicide rates which decreased with time. No significant rate changes were noted for teenagers or the elderly. Firearms was the method of choice in all groups, although methods varied with age, race, and sex, and male children preferred hanging. Small but significant increases were noted for the prevalence of nondrug methods in females and carbon monoxide deaths in white males. Similarities and differences to larger scale studies are discussed. Suicide may have characteristics unique to given geographical areas and pervasive to all areas. The authors advocate study and publication of local data to clarify further the nature of suicide.     

Comparative histologic and hormonal studies of the thyroid gland with special reference to sudden infant death (SIDS)

In 53 cases of death - including 12 cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - where blood samples could be taken within 18 h postmortem, the thyroxines T4, FT4, T3 and FT3 were determined (ELISA and RIA). These hormone values were compared with the corresponding histological thyroid findings in 43 cases (11 SIDS, 32 controls). Nearly identical T4 and FT4 mean values were found in both groups which were within the norms. In contrast to the average values of the control group, the T3 and FT3 concentrations of the SIDS group showed an increase of 3.7-fold and 1.9-fold. Accordingly, histological examination of the SIDS group showed highly activated and extensively released follicles whereas normal colloidal-containing follicle structures were observed in nearly all control cases. The present findings indicate that neither postmortem T4 T3 conversion nor intensified agonal hormone secretion is likely to be the only cause of the increasing T3 and FT3 values. In SIDS cases chronic or recurring chronic stress situations are supposed to be the cause for the hormonal and histological thyroid findings. Some differential diagnoses are discussed. Within 18 h after death, increased concentrations of T3 and FT3, together with simultaneous colloid release, represent a diagnosis of SIDS.