Vodka saves life

A 24 year old Italian tourist attempted suicide while having his holiday in Australia. He was rushed to the Mackay Base Hospital while in a coma. The doctors found that he swallowed a large amount of the poisonous substance ethylene glycol, found in antifreeze, which can cause death. He was then treated immediately with pharmaceutical-grade pure alcohol, which works as an antidote to the poison. Unfortunately the antidote supply in the hospital is not enough to cure the man.

Pure alcohol is often given in treating such cases because it can inhibit the toxic effects of ethylene glycol. While new supplies won't be coming anytime soon, doctors have to think of a way to find replacement. Luckily for the Italian man, supplies is not too far away. The doctors starts feeding him with Vodka through a drip for 3 days!

"The patient was drip-fed about three standard drinks an hour for three days in the intensive care unit," Dr Todd Fraser said in a statement. "The hospital's administrators were also very understanding when we explained our reasons for buying a case of vodka." Medical staff said the patient had made a full recovery, and the hangover had worn off by the time he woke up. He spent 20 days in hospital before being discharged.

Source : BBC News