Abrus precatorius

ratti , sui poisoning

1. Abrus precatorius

2. All parts of plant are poisonous

3. Active principles Abrin ( Toxalbumin Similar To Viperine Snake ) Abrin (N- Methyl L- Tryptophan ) N,n Dimethyl L- Tryptophan Hypaphorin Precatorine Choline Trigonelline

4. Mechanism of action Abrin cause endothelial cell damage – Endothelial damage  increase capillary permeability  fluid & protein leakage  tissue edema Direct toxic effect on CNS Agglutination of RBC Ribosomal Inhibiting Protein ( Rip ) – Inhibit Protein Synthesis .

5. INJECTION Injected in the form of sui . Local – painful swelling & edema Echymosis Inflammation Oozing of haemorrhagic fluid & necrosis around site of puncture

6. Sui or sutari

7. Fatal dose – 1-2 crushed seeds Fatal period – 3-5 days

8. Management Remove all seeds from mouth Induce vomiting Gastric lavage Activated charcoal Sodium bicarbonate ( 10 gram orally per day ) Antiabrin antibodies are not of much use Pt. should be kept hospitalized because severe symp can develop several days after ingestion .

9. Post mortem appearance

10. Medicolegal importance Cattle poision Homicidal poision Malingiring – powdered abrus introduced in eye to produce conjunctivitis Arrow poision As abortifacient

11. VITRIOLAGE This means throwing of any corrosive; not necessarily sulphuric acid, on a person with malicious intent. PUNISHABLE UNDER SEC 326 IPC

12. COMMONLY CORROSSIVE USED Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol) is most commonly used and for this purpose the name given is Vitriolage . Nitric acid and carbolic acid are sometimes also used.

13. produces severe chemical burns. characterised by discoloration and staining of skin and clothing (brown or black in sulphuric acid and yellow in nitric acid) trickle marks absence of vesication and red line of demarcation presence of the chemical substance in the stains. Corneal destruction or even blindness can result The acid thrown on face causes severe pain, corrosion of tissues leading to permanent scar

14. TREATMENT immediate washing with water and a soap or dilute solution of sodium or potassium bicarbonate till pain persists or acid is washed off. thick paste of magnesium oxide or carbonate may be applied. The raw surface may afterwards be covered with antibiotic ointment. Oral antibiotics should be given to prevent infection. The wound may be dressed later on. Sometimes, skin grafting is needed to replace the damaged .

15. If eyes are involved, they should be immediately washed with water followed by irrigation with 1% solution of sodium bicarbonate. Eye drops containing antibiotics and steroids are helpful .

16. MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATIONS Clothes Must Be Collected & Sent For Chemivcal Examination Plain Water Swabs From Affected Areas May Be Sent For Chemical Examination

17. Medicolegal importance cattle poision Homicidal poision Malingiring – powdered abrus introduced in eye to produce conjunctivitis Arrow poision As abortifacient