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Continued alcohol ingestion is associated with electrolyte abnormalities, potential worsening of gastritis, and onset of hepatitis and [[pancreatitis]]. |
Continued alcohol ingestion is associated with electrolyte abnormalities, potential worsening of gastritis, and onset of hepatitis and [[pancreatitis]]. |
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==Related concepts== |
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The '[[law of similars]]' in [[Homeopathic medicine]] is a similar concept. However ‘hair of the dog’ treatment is distinctive in that homeopathic medicines involve an extremely dilute quantity of a particular ingredient that is generally different from the causative agent - although often the ingredient does produce similar symptoms in higher concentrations. In addition, there are no scientifically conclusive studies that prove homoeopathy's effectiveness. |
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One non-homeopathic medically effective symptomatic relief treatment that utilizes a similar concept is the treatment for postherpetic pain (neuralgia) of [[Herpes zoster|shingles]] by applying chili powder spray to the affected area.<ref>[http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/shingles/detail_shingles.htm#58983223 “Shingles: Hope Through Research”], National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health.</ref> |
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The concept of [[Vaccination]] may be seen as a similar idea in that it uses deactivated or less-dangerous but similar infectious agents to provide an [[Immune system|immunity]] to a disease without having to expose the patient to the dangerous infectious agent itself. But vaccination is distinct from 'hair of the dog' treatments in that vaccines are applied beforehand to allow the body to develop defenses ([[antibodies]]), rather than after-the-fact. |
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Similar to vaccinations, but keeping in the spirit of the-hair-of-the-dog, [[allergies]] can be cured by a series of controlled exposures to the cause of the allergy. For example, if one is allergic to a cat, injections of cat dander can be given over a period of time to reduce and eventually eliminate the reactions to the presence of cats.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} |
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==Treatment notice== |
==Treatment notice== |
Revision as of 17:12, 19 January 2008
Hair of the dog is a colloquial English expression predominantly used to refer to ingestion of alcohol as treatment for a hangover. It is occasionally used with respect to dealing with the after effects of use of other recreational drugs. It is a shortened form of the expression “the hair of the dog that bit you.”
Origin and derivation
The origin of the phrase is literal, and comes from an erroneous method of treatment of a rabid dog bite by placing hair from the dog in the bite wound.[1] The use of the phrase as a metaphor for a hangover treatment dates back to the time of William Shakespeare. Ebenezer Cobham Brewer writes in the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898): "In Scotland it is a popular belief that a few hairs of the dog that bit you applied to the wound will prevent evil consequences. Applied to drinks, it means, if overnight you have indulged too freely, take a glass of the same wine next morning to soothe the nerves. 'If this dog do you bite, soon as out of your bed, take a hair of the tail in the morning.'" He also cites two apocryphal poems containing the phrase, one of which is attributed to Aristophanes. It is possible that the phrase was used to justify an existing practice, and the idea of Similia similibus curantur ("like cures like") dates back at least to the time of Hippocrates.
The phrase also exists in Hungarian, where the literal translation to English is "(You may cure) the dog's bite with its fur", but has evolved to a short three word phrase ("Kutya harapást szőrével") that is used frequently in other contexts when one is trying to express that the solution to a problem is more of the problem. Among the Irish and Mexicans, the phrase 'The Cure' ("curarse la cruda", in Spanish) is often used instead of 'hair of the dog'.[2] It is used, often sarcastically, in the question "Going for a Cure?"
Scientific background
A hangover is due partly to poisoning by the toxic chemicals into which alcohol is converted by the body and the other components of the alcoholic drink, and partly to the body's reaction to withdrawal from alcohol. The symptoms of a hangover are similar to those of withdrawal, namely a throbbing headache, nausea, and maybe even vomiting. Thus consuming more alcohol ("hair of the dog") may help by blunting some of these symptoms.
Drinking more alcohol can make the symptoms seem to lessen at first, but will only aggravate the symptoms once the liver breaks the alcohol down, because the body will have additional toxins to deal with.
Physicians do not recommend 'hair of the dog' treatments for hangovers.[3] It is not medically recommended for hangovers, nor for the long term treatment of problems related to alcohol consumption.
Continued alcohol ingestion is associated with electrolyte abnormalities, potential worsening of gastritis, and onset of hepatitis and pancreatitis.
Treatment notice
Medical professionals should be consulted regarding the proper treatment for hangovers, alcohol withdrawal, and withdrawal from other drugs.[citation needed]
In popular culture
- Hair of the Dog is the name of a popular Irish folk rock band.
- At one point in the LucasArts adventure game The Curse of Monkey Island, the player must mix a hangover remedy for an inebriated character consisting of egg, pepper, and “the hair of the dog that bit you.” However, for the purposes of the game, this means literal dog hair.
- "Hair of the dog" is popular as a song title: see "Hair of the Dog".
- In the movie African Queen, as Katherine Hepburn's character disposes of Bogart's Gin, Bogart Exclaims, "I'll perish without a hair of the dog".
- In Stanley Kubrick's film version of The Shining, Jack orders "hair of the dog that bit me" at the Gold Room bar.
- In the Daria movie Is It College Yet?, Quinn's co-worker is caught drinking a screwdriver at work and states that it's "just a little hair-of-the-dog."
- There is a Hair of the Dog Brewing Company in Portland, OR.
- In the song "The Good Times Are Killing Me" from the album Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Modest Mouse refers to "Enough hair of the dog to make myself an entire rug."
- In "The Secret", an episode of The O.C., a member of Kirsten Cohen's Yoga class admits that she could "go for a little 'hair of the dog' herself.'"
- In Brainiac: Science Abuse, the Hair of the Dog was compared to other ways to treat hangovers, and was proven to be not effective enough.
- In "Son of Coma Guy", an episode of House, the primary patient asks Chase to hand over his backpack. When the bag clinks, Chase opens it up to find a full wine bottle, to which the patient sheepishly replies, "hair of the dog."
- The third episode of the animated series Road Rovers is titled "A Hair of the Dog That Bit You" and revolves around curing one of the characters of their lycanthropy. The euphemism in this case is quite literal, as actual hair of the werewolf that caused the affliction was required for the cure.