ACUTE POISONING FROM USE OF ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL IN TEPID SPONGING

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Abstract
It has long been recognized that methyl and isopropyl alcohol can be toxic if taken internally in small amounts. Aikman1 states that individual susceptibility is marked, and serious symptoms, such as coma and blindness, may occur after the ingestion of 10 cc. of methyl alcohol. The danger in inhalation or absorption of toxic amounts through the skin, however, has not been emphasized. Rubbing alcohol is commonly used in hospitals for tepid sponging of febrile children, but little note has been made of the possible dangers inherent in the practice. This report illustrates the very real danger of such procedures. REPORT OF A CASE A 22-month-old white boy was admitted to the pediatric ward of St. Joseph Hospital, Kansas City, Mo., at 3:00 p. m. on Nov. 15, 1952. He had a rectal temperature of 104.6 F, but the only other unusual physical symptom was an inflamed pharynx. The diagnosis

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