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Mania a potu: a critical review of pathological intoxication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

Jeremy Coid*
Affiliation:
Maudsley Hospital, London
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr Jeremy Cold, The Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London 5E5 8AZ.

Synopsis

The origins of present misconceptions of pathological intoxication are reviewed, and the main symptoms examined in relation to possible aetiological factors. The diagnosis is infrequently made in clinical practice, and has little use in court in cases of alcohol-related violence. It is suggested that ‘pathological drunkenness’ (lCD 291.4) should be removed from the International Classification of Diseases.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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