Abrus Precatorius Flashcards
What are the common names for Abrus precatorius?
Indian liquorice
Rosary pea
Crab’s eye
What part of abrus is poisonous?
The whole plant (seeds poisonous only when crushed or uncooked)
seeds commonly used>made needles> injecting into skin or wounds.
{Made powdered,, mixed with opium, dhatura,,spirit or water
>Needles made}
*PRECATORIUS,,PRICK,,NEEDLE
What is the nature of abrus seeds?
Small pea sized
Tasteless odourless
Oval and red
Black spot at one end
What is the toxin present in rosary pea?
Abrin
What is the toxic principle of abrin?
Abrin is also a toxalbumin
Symptoms resemble viper snake bite
What symptoms are evident in cattle when poisoned with abrus?
Made powdered,, mixed with opium, dhatura,,spirit or water
>Needles made
>Injected into cattle
>Local lesion, necrosis, bleeding
>Drowsiness, lost appetite for days
>Coma, convulsions
>Death
What symptoms will Abrus precatorius cause in humans?
If ingested
nausea vomit,, abd pain >collapse
If applied locally
Painful swelling
Ecchymosis
Necrosis
Others
Arrhythmia
Vertigo
Convulsions
What’s the fatal dose of rosary pea or abrus?
1 to 2 seeds
Or
90 to 120 mg abrin injected
What’s the fatal period of abrus?
3 to 5 days
What’s the treatment if abrus Poisoning?
Dissect the needle out
Antiabrin
Symptomatic treatment
What are the post mortem findings of rosary pea Poisoning?
If local
lesions will be seen and Needle fragments
If ingested
Hemorrhages under the mucus membrane
Congestion of organs and hemorrhages
What is the medicolegal importance of Abrus poisoning?
Cattle poison
Human poison
Conjunctivitis by powder
Arrow poison
