Girl
loses Stomach after consuming Cocktail
Containing ‘Liquid – Nitrogen’.
By
Joseph Diamond.
A TEENAGE GIRL has undergone emergency surgery after
drinking a cocktail containing ‘Liquid-Nitrogen’.
Gaby Scanlon was celebrating her 18th
Birthday with friends in Lancaster,England, when she consumed the cocktail at
Oscar’s wine bar in the town centre on Thursday night. (4/10/12)
Police said she had her stomach removed in an urgent
operation, thought to have saved her life.
After drinking the cocktail Miss Scanlon had reported
feeling breathless and then developed severe stomach pains.
She was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary and
diagnosed with a ‘Perforated’ stomach and underwent emergency surgery to remove
her stomach, the Police said.
Afterwards she was described as being in a serious but
stable condition.
A Police spokesman said “ The investigation is still in
its early stages and we are trying to establish the full facts. The premises
involved have fully co-operated with all agencies concerned and have suspended
the sale of drinks containing ‘Liquid-Nitrogen’.
He Police added that it’s the first incident of its
kind that they have dealt with.
The Wine bar management said they were ‘Tremendously
concerned’ and passed its best wishes onto the girl and her family.
‘Liquid-Nitrogen’ has become popular for the making of
some cocktails due to the visual effect it gives off.
So,
what do we know about ‘Liquid-Nitrogen’ ?
Liquid-Nitrogen is scientifically known as ‘LN2’, which
is odourless, colourless and Non-Flammable, it’s known as a very cold chemical
and it’s boiling point is -196 degrees centigrade.
Liquid-Nitrogen is also used in medicine for the
removal of warts by freezing them first. Surgeons use Liquid-Nitrogen to dry
out unwanted tissue and in some cases to eliminate cancerous cells.
Chefs are also known to use it in the kitchen for
making Ice-Cream and flash-freezing herbs.
Bartenders chill glasses using Liquid-Nitrogen so that
super-cooled glasses emanate a dramatic looking vapour, usually a fog when
exposed to room temperature. Three years ago a German bartender lost his hand
after a canister of Liquid-Nitrogen exploded.
Peter Bonham a professor based at the University of
Bristol school of Physics said ‘ The main point being that Liquid-Nitrogen’
must be fully evaporated before serving and should not be ingested until this
occurs.’
There are various recipes that can be found on the
Internet for Liquid-Nitrogen cocktails but the substance can cause cold burns.
Since this incident bars in Sydney, Australia are now
banned from serving Liquid-Nitrogen in cocktails, this came into force on
11/10/12.
