The study, published in Deutsches Arzteblatt International, found many alcoholics simply did not recognize the danger signals -- vomiting "black fluid," or blood, or passing black stools.

While 71 percent of those surveyed would have sought emergency medical help if they had vomited blood, only 51 percent said they would if it was black fluid -- and 32 percent said they would seek help if they passed back stools. Twenty-five percent would seek medical help if they had all three symptoms.

The survey of more than 400 patients from the German cities of Leipzig and Munich who consumed on ethanol also found:

-- Women and those men who had seen a doctor more than 12 times in the course of the preceding year were best informed about the dangers of bleeding.

-- Younger alcoholics were more likely than older patients to call a doctor.

-- Those who consulted a physician had lower alcohol consumption, completed vocational training and were married.

-- The longer the patient delays having emergency endoscopy, the worse the prognosis.