Abstract des Autors

Description is given of a death by drowning in a whirlpool bath at a fitness club. The patient had a history of frequent partial epileptic attacks, apparently precipitated by alcohol, work-stress and running, and poorly controlled by Dilantin. At postmortem, the parieto-occipital cortex showed an area of destruction some 4 cm in diameter. Although blood Dilantin levels were normally above the recommended level of 10-20 micro-g/ml, a postmortem blood specimen showed a reading of only 0.4 micro-g/ml. The most likely diagnosis seems a coincidental attack of epilepsy, although exercise, the warmth of the bath, and a decrease of blood Dilantin may have been contributing factors. It is argued that there is a need to develop standards for the operation of whirlpools and that individuals with a history of epilepsy should not be allowed to use such facilities unless closely supervised. Verf.-Referat