The Nature and Treatment of Delirium Tremens and Allied Conditions

Abstract

Delirium tremens and toxi-infective delirium are not now common diseases, but are still encountered often enough for their treatment to present problems. Delirium tremens is a medical emergency and intercurrent pneumonia is a serious complication, more likely to occur if the patient's over-activity persists. Toxi-infective delirium is less frequently accompanied by crude over-activity, but this may be a source of significant added strain in the severely ill patient, in whom it is more likely to occur. The standard treatment for delirium tremens is by sedation, and the giving of fluids and glucose. Paraldehyde seems to be the drug of choice. Opinion is divided on whether it is advisable to continue to give moderate amounts of alcohol. Sedation is the standard treatment in toxi-infective delirium, and here barbiturates tend to be used.