Intensive Care of Acute Poisoning - A. V. Hovenko 2010

Main types of acute poisoning and their treatment
Plant toxin poisoning
Poisoning by poisonous plants

Poisonous plants are those that permanently or periodically contain substances toxic to humans and animals. More than 10,000 species of poisonous plants are known.

Poisoning can be caused by inherently poisonous plants as well as non-poisonous cultivated plants that acquire toxic properties due to improper storage or fungal contamination.

^c The toxicity of plants can vary significantly depending on their age, vegetative phase, growing conditions (climatic, soil-based), and plant part (roots, shoots, branches, fruits, bark). Some plants have poisonous nectar (azalea, marsh Labrador tea) or pollen (henbane, oleander), which imparts toxic properties to honey. Consumption of such honey can lead to fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Poisonous plants permanently or periodically contain substances that are toxic to humans and animals. Poisoning can be caused by inherently poisonous plants as well as non-poisonous cultivated plants that acquire toxic properties due to improper storage or fungal contamination (food poisoning).

Poisonings by plant toxins mostly occur during the warm season when consuming unknown or inedible plants that outwardly resemble edible species. Such poisonings, sometimes very severe, primarily occur in children. There are known cases of occupational poisoning during the cultivation, harvesting, drying, and Processing of plant Materials (for example, in The production of castor oil, ricin poisoning can occur due to pomace entering the gastrointestinal tract from the hands). Acute poisonings by plant toxins can result from self-medication with medicinal herbs, as well as from consuming alcoholic tinctures of these plants or stone fruit berries containing hydrocyanic acid in their pits.

Among plants, some contain deadly poisons. The most common poisonous plants are hemlock, Water hemlock (cowbane), aconite, henbane, and Jimson weed.

Poisoning from decoctions and infusions of poisonous plants. Quite often, under the guise of "medicinal, folk" herbs, charlatans sell the roots of poisonous plants, the consumption of which causes severe poisoning and even death. For instance, roots containing highly life-threatening substances are sold under the name "Adam's ROOT". These roots include:

1) the root of spotted hemlock (poison hemlock), which contains the potent alkaloid coniine, capable of causing severe poisoning and death;

Hemlock is sometimes confused with parsley and used in food. Hemlock differs from parsley by a mouse-like odor. To neutralize the poison, it is recommended to drink pure grape wine, preferably with bitter wormwood. A decoction of mint and nettle seeds, as well as milk, helps well;

2) the root of aconite (monkshood, "blue buttercup"), which contains the extremely potent poison aconitin glycoside, leading to death at a dose of 0.003 g.

Aconite is the most poisonous plant; even a tiny piece of its root constitutes a lethal dose. The person experiences convulsions, numbness, and paralysis of the limbs. In case of poisoning, it is recommended to thoroughly wash out The Stomach, then give the patient milk with figs and walnuts, and also administer sea buckthorn oil;

3) the root of marsh cowbane (water hemlock, cicuta), which contains an extremely toxic substance—cicutoxin. Poisoning with cicuta can cause convulsions and even paralysis. The patient's stomach is washed with water containing activated charcoal. Afterward, they should be given a decoction of marigolds (calendula) or bitter wormwood;

4) poisoning by tobacco tincture. Tobacco tincture or decoction contains a large amount of a potent alkaloid—nicotine—which causes severe poisoning, Nervous system paralysis, and death. The lethal dose of nicotine is 0.05 g. Charlatans recommend administering enemas and compresses using a tobacco infusion or decoction and drinking this poisonous liquid. In such cases, nicotine is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and triggers The Development of poisoning.

Severe poisonings are caused by deadly nightshade (belladonna) berries, which look like cherries, and henbane seeds, which resemble poppy seeds. The symptoms of poisoning by belladonna berries and henbane seeds are identical. Dryness in the Mouth and thirst appear, pupils dilate significantly, and facial Skin flushes. The victim develops severe agitation accompanied by hallucinations and delirium. Death occurs As a result of respiratory arrest caused by the paralysis of the respiratory center.

Similar phenomena are observed in cases of poisoning by Jimson weed (Datura stramonium).

Cases of children being poisoned by herb Paris berries, which remotely resemble blueberries or bilberries, are quite frequent. A victim poisoned by this berry experiences headaches and dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and frequent urination.

Mezereon is a shrub with juicy bright red or orange-red berries resembling sea buckthorn. The entire plant is poisonous, especially the berries. Eating the berries causes a burning sensation in the mouth, excessive salivation, and thirst. Vomiting and bloody diarrhea ensue, followed somewhat later by Blood in the urine and cardiac dysfunction. Contact of mezereon juice with the skin causes Burns with blister and ulcer formation.

Lily of the valley is also poisonous. All PARTS OF THE plant are toxic, especially its red juicy berries. Poisoning manifests with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dizziness.

Children are also frequently poisoned by henbane. This results in dilated pupils, impaired Vision, flushed face, and dizziness. In case of poisoning, it is necessary to wash out the stomach and administer honey.

Contact with poisonous plants or exposure of the skin to poisonous plant sap can lead to acute inflammation, eczema, and dermatitis. Harvesting Jimson weed on hot days may cause poisoning by the plant's vapors. Inhaling dust generated during the grinding of castor beans can trigger allergic reactions with symptoms of Bronchial Asthma. Dermatitis frequently develops upon contact with primrose (indoor, Chinese). Dermatitis caused by field plants (sedge, parsnip, yarrow) can affect people who lie on the grass after swimming in a river or lake. Exposed parts of the body are affected, showing characteristic rash patterns in the form of stripes.

Cardiac Glycosides from foxglove and other plants have a cumulative effect, meaning they tend to accumulate in the body with prolonged intake. In this case, poisoning symptoms can develop even after ingesting a small dose of these plants. Furthermore, saponins and A number of other organic substances damage the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

A number of poisonous plants exert a primary effect on the Liver, which is why they are referred to as liver poisons. These include ragwort, heliotrope, and spreading sneezeweed (rosy marsh-mallow). Alkaloids from these plants lead to loss of appetite, digestive disorders (nausea, diarrhea), jaundice (yellow discoloration of the eye whites and skin), skin itching, pain in the liver area, and mental disturbances (speech agitation alternating with a state of drowsiness).

A special place among poisonous plants is occupied by hogweeds (cow parsnips). The main manifestation of their toxic action occurs upon contact with unprotected skin. The essential oil secreted by them, especially in gloomy weather, severely burns the skin, causing watery blisters to appear.

Poisoning can also result from consuming plants generally considered non-poisonous. For instance, the kernels of bitter almonds, apricots, cherries, bird cherries, and other stone fruits contain hydrocyanic acid.

Green-tinted potatoes contain a large amount of the glycoalkaloid solanine, which causes diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, and stupor in humans. Similar symptoms are observed in poisoning by bittersweet nightshade berries.

Poisoning caused by the volatile substances of certain plants (such as bird cherry, poppy, and lily) is quite common, especially when large bouquets are kept in poorly ventilated rooms. Victims typically experience headaches and dizziness.

The characteristic symptoms of Acute Poisoning caused by the most common poisonous plants, as well as first-aid measures for these poisonings, are listed in Table 5.1.

Class="center">Table 5.1 Characteristic symptoms of acute poisonings caused by the most common poisonous plants and first-aid measures