Friday 20 April 2012

Emedinews:Insights on Medicolegal issues:Antiquity of Indian medicine & medical education: Charak Samhita

The effect of a dose of ethanol depends on how much alcohol a person regularly drinks

The effect of a dose of ethanol depends on how much alcohol a person regularly drinks. Someone who does not usually drink much alcohol may be badly affected by an amount that would otherwise have very little effect on a person who regularly drinks large amounts. Children may suffer severe poisoning after drinking just a mouthful of aftershave, mouthwash or perfume. Isopropanol is more poisonous than ethanol. Serious poisoning can be caused by using isopropanol as rubbing alcohol, if large amounts are rubbed on the skin and absorbed into the body. Both ethanol and isopropanol slow down the brain, causing unconsciousness and shallow breathing. Isopropanol vapor is irritant to eyes, nose and throat and poisonous, if inhaled. Regularly drinking large amounts of ethanol causes chronic poisoning, resulting in many changes in the body, particularly in the brain, the liver, and the heart.

Signs and symptoms of acute poisoning
• The patient’s clothes and breath may smell of alcohol; patients who have swallowed isopropanol smell of acetone
• Slurred speech – difficulty in performing simple tasks, staggering walk, – nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain which are more severe after swallowing isopropanol – drowsiness– blurred or double vision– unconsciousness – fits

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