Toxic confusional state presenting as mental illness.
A 44-year-old man was arrested under section 136 Mental Health Act 1983 after behaving strangely outside a club. When assessed he appeared to be suffering from a toxic confusional state. On admission to hospital his salicylate levels were found to be high. The confusion proved to be caused by an aspirin overdose.
Moore
P
P
Police Surgeon, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Torbay, UK.