Riskvärdering av Alkohol: En Litteraturgenomgång Med Särskild Tonvikt På Ett Kvinnoperspektiv

This article illustrates the association between alcohol exposure and the risk of developing alcohol-related problems, the different types of dose-response curves, and the particular female susceptibility. The extensive discussion on the interpretation of the J-shaped association between alcohol consumption and coronary heart disease is reviewed. Present knowledge shows that the beneficial health effects of moderate drinking are limited to minor subgroups in the general population. The possible net beneficial health effects of moderate drinking may also be achieved in less risky ways by refraining from smoking, eating less dietary fat, and engaging in regular exercise. The guidelines given in risk evaluations published over the last decade have become successively more restrictive. During this time increasing attention has been drawn to the risks associated with ‘social’ and ‘moderate’ drinking. It has been pointed out that for the moderate drinker various psycho-social problems – especially in the area of productivity and relations – are more likely to develop than organ damage.

A Case of Saturnine Insanity

Thomas H., æt. 40, was admitted into Guy's Hospital under my care on February 6th, 1886, for unconsciousness following fits. No family history of insanity or fits; father has gout, otherwise the family history is very good. The patient is a plumber. Ten years ago he had colic, and also eight years ago. Seven years ago he had “rheumatic gout,” to which he has been subject ever since. He has been a moderate drinker. On February 2nd he was troubled with a severer attack than usual of pain in the wrist. On February 4th in the evening he had a fit, commencing by his making a loud, shrill noise, rapidly followed by trembling in the body and limbs. He foamed at the mouth; the teeth were clenched; the eyes were staring. The fit lasted thirty minutes, when he seemed to recover himself, but on being spoken to did not answer, seeming stupid. He got up, dressed himself, and went downstairs. He appeared fairly well till five o'clock the next evening, during which time his power of speech partly returned. He expressed a wish to go to bed, which he did, and fell off into a quiet sleep, remaining undisturbed till 12 o'clock, when he had another fit resembling the first. This second one lasted for fifteen minutes, and about three minutes after it had ceased another took place. He then had a succession of them for about three hours, each being rather more maniacal than the previous. His voice entirely left him, and he again would or could not speak. A medical man administered a draught, after which the patient fell into a quiet sleep. He remained free from the fits till the following night, when he had another series rather severer than on the previous night. During this night the patient was very restless, getting out of bed and throwing his arms about. He became so violent that he had to be held down by four men. After a time he became quieter, and was brought to Guy's Hospital.