asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) that there is an outbreak of beri-beri among alcoholics in Ireland; if he will indicate what action he intends taking in regard to this complication of alcoholism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Alcoholism Complication.
8.
My attention has been drawn to the newspaper report mentioned in the question. It would appear that the comment of the Medical News Tribune was based on articles published in the Journal of the Irish Medical Association on April 29th in which details of four cases of beri-beri heart disease were reported. If this surmise is correct, it is grossly misleading to refer to “an outbreak of beri-beri among alcoholics”. Incidentally one of the four cases reported upon was adamant that he did not drink alcohol.
From inquiries I have made in the matter it would appear that very few cases of this disease have come to light in this country in the past few years. The disease is caused by a vitamin deficiency (thiamin) and, as a routine, alcoholics received into a psychiatric hospital are given a multi-vitamin preparation which includes thiamin.