Self-Induced Water Intoxication without Predisposing Illness

Abstract

THE term "water intoxication" was first applied by Rowntree1 to the symptoms of increased neuroexcitability, delirium, convulsions and coma due to sudden lowering of the ratio of solutes to water in the body fluids induced by excessive intake of water. Subsequently, several authors2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 reported various cases of water intoxication in patients on parenteral fluid therapy and in patients with various predisposing illnesses. It is generally believed that water intoxication does not occur in healthy people by the voluntary ingestion of water. Barahal11 reported 1 case in a schizophrenic but otherwise healthy patient who drank large quantities of water and then . . .