|
CORRELATION BETWEEN BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATIONS & CLINICAL FEATURES
0,00 - 0,05%
Most persons show no signs of abnormality at this level while some may already show signs of euphoria with a loss of the normal balance between inhibitions and impulses.
Reaction time at the level of 0,05g% is already twice as slow as normal. Impairment of coordination is already evident at a level of 0,04g%.
0,05 - 0,10g%
There is further loss of inhibitions, impairment of the ability to be self critical, over-confidence, a decrease in ability to concentrate and clouding of judgement.
Most persons have impaired muscular coordination at levels of 0,08g%. At 0,10g%, the reaction time is four times slower than normal.
0,10 - 0,15g%
There is further impairment of the ability to be self-critical, as well as emotional instability, memory lapses, and signs of ataxia, apraxia and agraphia.
Reaction times are further delayed. Orientation with regard to time and place may be impaired.
0,15 - 0,25g%
Clinical features include ataxia, apraxia and agraphia, markedly decreased muscular coordination, a loss of orientation, emotional instability, impairment of balance and equilibrium, apathy and dullness with emotional outbursts, impairment of the normal response to painful stimuli, impairment of memory and possible memory loss.
0,25 - 0,35g%
The above-mentioned abnormalities are more pronounced.
Complete muscular incoordination is evident, together with apathy, loss of memory and complete loss of sense of orientation to time and place.
Stupor is possible.
0,35g% and higher concentrations
Stupor is followed by coma, generalised anaesthesia and paralysis, depression of the vital centres controlling respiration and the cardiovascular system and body temperature, deep coma and death.
|