ACUTE HEPATITIS OF ALCOHOLISM: A CLINICAL AND LABORATORY STUDY

Abstract

Alcoholics who had been drinking steadily for over 2 wks. when checked by the bromsulfalin liver function test had abnormal dye retention. 14 of 25 [male][male] tested had retention of from 30% to 5% of the dye. 6 of the patients who could be rechecked at intervals had normal tests within 2 wks. Liver biopsies were performed upon two. The first biopsy had slight fatty infiltration and mild inflammatory changes, the 2d was regarded as normal in spite of the fact that there was 10% retention 4 days later. The selection of these patients was based upon the intensity of the drinking alone. There was no clinical evidence of hepatitis.