DELIRIUM TREMENS TREATED WITH INTRAVENOUSLY ADMINISTERED CORTICOTROPIN (ACTH)

Abstract

The treatment of delirium tremens, as advocated until recently,¹ consisted mainly of sedation and supportive measures. With the availability of corticotropin (ACTH) we now have a potent therapeutic agent that can effect a remission in an amazingly short time. Good results with divided intramuscular doses have been reported,² but the large total dose required has raised an objection to its use. Gordon³ has reported that the action of corticotropin is enhanced as much as 20 times by its intravenous administration. The favorable use of small doses of corticotropin by this route has been shown by Mandel and others.⁴ With this in mind, we recently had the opportunity to contrast the two methods of therapy. REPORT OF CASES Case 1.— A 42-year-old white man was admitted to Fordham Hospital on Sept. 17, 1951, in a hyperactive state, with a marked alcoholic odor to his breath. He gave