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Chapter-34 Neurotoxics

BOOK TITLE: Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology

Author
1. Rao Nageshkumar G
ISBN
9788184487060
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/11366_34
Edition
2/e
Publishing Year
2010
Pages
45
Author Affiliations
1. SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Sattur, Dharwad 580 009, Karnataka, India, Manipal
Chapter keywords

Abstract

Neurotoxics are the poisons acting on the nervous system. Depending on site of action on the nervous system neurotoxics are classified into three groups: cerebral, spinal and peripheral neurotoxics. Alcohol in general refers to an aqueous solution containing 95 percent ethyl alcohol. Alcohol is one of the oldest intoxicants ever known to man. Alcoholic beverages consumption is increasing in every part of the world. Barbiturates are basically derived from barbituric acid, the oldest being veronal barbitone. Even though this group of drugs were used extensively in the past, benzo-diazepines have replaced the use of many of the barbiturates; they are still available and abused. Using barbiturates in conjunction with alcohol is especially dangerous; alcohol is a central nervous system depressant so the harmful effects of each are multiplied. Death by benzodiazepines alone in the absence of other significant toxicological agents or pathology is uncommon, although benzodiazepines alone can cause death in absence of significant natural diseases or advanced age. Death has been reported with flunitrazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, triazolam, temazepam, and flurazepam. Pesticide is an umbrella term used to describe any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying or controlling any pest (insects, rodents, fungi, mites, ticks, molluscs, weeds and herbs) including vectors of human or animal diseases. Datura is a vegetable deliriant type of cerebral poison. Distribution: Worldwide, especially in wasteland. It may also be grown in gardens for its beautiful flowers which are offered in religious prayers. Plant: Datura plant is about 1.2-2 meter height with widely spread branches. Fruit is about the size of a walnut, spherical and covered with sharp spiny projections (therefore called thorn apple). Each fruit on an average contains about 500 seeds. They are yellowish-brown in colour and resemble chilly seeds. Cannabis is classified under deliriant cerebral neurotic plant poison. It is also classified as mild hallucinogen or a sedative or a narcotic. In fact the drug is believed to produce all these effects in various individuals in a different way. However, presently it is considered as the most abused drug all over the world. Slang terms for cannabis include hash, grass, pot, ganja, spliff and refer. Cocaine is a deliriant cerebral neurotic. Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from the dried leaves of coca plant (Erythroxylon coca). Coca plant however, may not be confused for cocoa plant which contains caffeine rather than cocaine. Active principles are alkaloids such as: (i) Strychnine—is colourless, and odourless crystalline substance with bitter taste, (ii) Brucine, and (iii) Loganine. For the onset of action the seeds must be masticated and swallowed, the site of action being anterior horn cells of spinal cord. It acts by competitive antagonism of inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine at the postsynaptic spinal cord motor neurons. Bitter in taste. Within 15 minutes to one hour of orally taking the poison it produces. Epigastric pain initially, followed by stiffness in the muscles with onset of the typical strychnine convulsions which are of two types: (a) Clonic (intermittent) initially, (b) Tonic (sustained) later. Strychnine poisoning case may resemble to tetanus.

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