Ancient Descriptions of Organic Brain Syndrome: The "Kordiakos" of the Talmud
L. D. HANKOFF M.D.1
1 Director of Psychiatry, Misericordia Hospital, Bronx, N.Y. 10466
The author discusses the meaning of the word "kordiakos." In the Talmud "kordiakos" refers to a syndrome characterized by dizziness, confusion, and mental incompetence after contact with a vat of new wine. While the term may be synonymous with delirium tremens, epilepsy, or transient acute anoxia, the author believes it was one of the earliest references to what is currently known as delirium tremens.
