The ancient Romans had an imaginative treatment for alcoholics: a live eel in a cup of wine. Forced to drink this lively cocktail, the tippler would presumably be disgusted by all future potations. Modern doctors are still using a variation of this old cure. Latest results on a remarkably large number of patients were reported last week in the New England Journal of Medicine. An alcoholic is given an injection of emetine* (a nauseating drug derived from ipecac). Just before he vomits, he downs a glass of his favorite drink. After several such...
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