Cocktails can save your life!

[jmowreader]

So here I am, perusing the 13-page Material Safety Data Sheet for ethylene glycol (the particular ethylene glycol referred to in this MSDS also contains diethylene glycol. Estimated approximate lethal oral dose of diethylene glycol in humans is 13-89ml; approximate lethal oral dose of ethylene glycol in humans is 100ml--but this is reagent-grade glycol, not antifreeze, so the lethal doses are smaller; still, this shit's bad for you in ways few other chemicals are), and came across this wonderful section:

Notes to Physicians:

Ethanol (ETOH) is antidotal and should be administered early in the treatment. Ethanol is a potent inhibitor of Ethylene Glycol metabolism because it is preferentially acted on by liver alcohol dehydrogenase, thus delaying or preventing toxic metabolites from Ethylene Glycol.

Treatment is started after residual ingested substance is removed from the stomach. Ethanol is administered orally or IV with a goal of maintaining a blood alcohol level of approximately 22 mmol/L or 1.0 mg/L.

To prepare antidote, make a solution using 100ml of 100 proof ethyl alcohol and 1900 ml of water. Give 1.5ml/kg or 100ml for an average adult. This may be mixed with orange juice for oral use if necessary. More Ethanol is to be given at 2 hour intervals to achieve and maintain the desired blood alcohol levels. Treatment may be necessary for several days.

The patient should be monitored for metabolic acidosis. Use of appropriate buffering solutions, such as bicarbonate, may be indicated.

Hemodialysis may be required.

Therefore, if you decide to drink antifreeze, immediate action is in order:

1. Stick your finger down your throat.
2. Drink two big glasses of water and stick your finger down your throat after each one. (This will wash the ethylene glycol out of your stomach.)
3. Mix a screwdriver consisting of two ounces of 100-proof vodka and enough orange juice to make a quart. This is actually a little stronger than DuPont recommends, but it will get you started. Give one ounce of this cocktail per 60 pounds body weight.
4. Get your ass to the emergency room right now. Take the rest of the screwdriver with you.