Case 48-1962

Abstract

Presentation of CaseA fifty-one-year-old man entered the hospital because of weakness and jaundice.Six months previously anorexia developed, and an upper gastrointestinal series performed at another hospital was interpreted as normal. Two months later the patient began an alcoholic binge that continued until the time of entry. During that time he consumed from 3 to 6 quarts of whisky per week, with an estimated daily food intake of 300 calories. He experienced daily episodes of tremor and vomiting, usually in the morning, that were relieved by the ingestion of alcohol; there was no hematemesis. Increasing abdominal girth, persistent anorexia . . .