Changes in atopy over a quarter of a century, based on cross sectional data at three time periods.

grammes that have led to improved asthma management are thought to be involved in this change; the impact of other (environmental) factors is more difficult to evaluate. A similar steadily decreasing trend was not found, however, in the percentage of men discharged during service as a result of asthma, which points to a need to re-examine selection and classification criteria for asthmatic men at call-up, as well as to better treatment during service.