This article reported on a study of cases of ecstasy ingestion admitted to the National Poisons Information Centre in Beaumont Hospital over an 18-month period between 1991 and 1992. The authors stated that ecstasy had greatly increased in popularity as a recreational drug since the late 1980s, and that this certainly seemed to be the case in Ireland in recent years.

No cases had come to the attention of the Poisons Centre in January 1991, but by June 1992 there were 37 cases. These 37 cases formed the basis for the study. The cases were analysed for age and sex distribution, clinical details, and outcome. They were found to be mainly male, aged
between 10 and 30 years, with a high incidence in the 16- to 25-year-old age group.

The researchers found that symptoms in most cases were mild, and included dilated pupils, agitation, excitement, hallucinations, tachycardia, palpitations, CNS depression, incontinence and psychiatric symptoms. One death was reported, owing to congestive heart failure.