The cases of alcohol poisoning are very common in the country. Cheap, adulterated alcohol is commonly available in the market and people with lack of resources are often its victims. This alcohol is usually rich in methanol which is a deadly chemical if consumed. It is used as a solvent, fuel and antifreeze for the industrial purposes. It can lead to medical emergencies affecting the heart, brain, kidney, eyes and in the worst cases, even death in a span of minutes to hours.
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In a recent case of alcohol poisoning in Mumbai, 41 people have died and 24 are receiving treatment after the consumption of poisonous alcohol. This alcohol, commonly known as bootleg liquor or moonshine is illegally distilled whisky that is available in the market for very cheap rates.
But the doctors are using a unique method to treat the patients this time. For those of you who have read Gregory David Robert’s Shantaram, remember the part where a drunkard named Joseph is given nothing but alcohol for a long time to cure his alcohol addiction?” Well, it may come as a shocker to some, but similar kind of treatment is given in many hospitals as well.
Many victims of alcohol poisoning in Mumbai are now given whiskey to treat it. As whiskey contains around 40% of ethyl alcohol, which is an extremely effective antidote for methanol poisoning, this treatment is proving successful among the patients. Moreover, it is more economical than other treatments such as hemodialysis and other supportive treatments.
This is probably the only situation where alcohol is life-saving.
Relatives of the patients were taken aback when they discovered that this treatment is being given to the patients.
However, Dr Ramesh Bharmal from BYL Nair Hospital said to media, “It is a standard protocol the world over. Ethyl alcohol neutralises the effects of methanol. Both are alcohol variants, one good and another deadly.”
In such cases, doctors often prefer whiskey over other alcohol because it is rich in alcohol content. It is given to the patients through tubes in a diluted form several times a day. Unlike other medicines, the whiskey of course is not stored in the hospital and is purchased locally when the need arises.
Have you heard the common phrase, ‘iron sharpens iron?’
Quite true, in this case, isn’t it?
News Source: Economic Times