From The Medical Adviser, and Guide to Health and Long Life, Vol I. 1824 ed. Alex. Burnett M.D.

MEANS OF RESTORING A DRUNKEN PERSON.

As the paroxysm of drunkenness is sometimes so excessive, as to produce apoplexy, the following is useful:—Let the patient be placed in a chair, supporting his head, and then administer a wine glass full of the best vinegar, rubbing his temples gently with a little of the same. If the good effect be not seen in ten minutes, other means must be employed. If the patient is in the first stage of the fit, that is, if his face is red, and his skin hot, let him be stripped, and have a pail of water showered on him from three feet above his head. This may be repeated three or four times. If this does not produce a full effect, give thirty grains of ipecacuanha. Let it be particularly observed, that if the eyes are fixed, and red, and the breathing difficult, to send immediately for a surgeon. Should the patient be in the last stage, namely, paleness of countenance, and cold skin, use no cold water, but content yourself with rubbing his temples and nostrils with vinegar, and give the ipecacuanha as above, with warm water or tea. In cases, where, from bravado, madness, and the like, a great portion of strong spirits is suddenly drank, and the person as suddenly falls senseless, every means must be tried to get a quart or two of warm water (or cold, if warm cannot immediately be procured,) tea, coffee, milk, or even weak beer, so as to dilute, as soon as possible, the spirits taken; also the ipecacuanha as directed above. If the patient vomits the contents of the stomach, then there are hopes of recovery. He should be put to bed, and whey given in considerable quantities, at short intervals, for twenty-four hours.

Image credit: Wellcome Library, London. Wellcome Images images@wellcome.ac.uk http://images.wellcome.ac.uk Two men, possibly students, undressing a drunken doctor they have carried home. Lithograph. Published by J.R., High Street, Oxford.