Toadstool Poisoning and its Treatment 



POISONING BY AMANITA MUSCARIA. 



The symptoms of poisoning by this fungus usually appear from eight 

 to twelve hours after it has been eaten, unless it has been taken in 

 enormous quantities, as in the cases reported by Prentiss (Phila. Med. 

 Jour., September 24, 1898), where they came on in half an hour. 



These begin with cramp-like pains in the extremities, colicky pains 

 in the abdomen, burning thirst, vomiting and purging. The pulse may 

 be very slow and strong at first, but later becomes rapid, small and fee- 

 ble. The blood pressure is low and, as a result of this disturbance of 

 the circulation, faintness is a common early symptom. Extreme pallor 

 is often noticed. The secretions are increased, and the sweat and the 

 saliva may be secreted in abnormal quantities. 



The pupils are strongly contracted and dullness of the vision or 

 double vision may be noticed early. 



The respirations are slow and become shallow and stertorous when 

 the poisoning is severe. 



The mental state may be clear at first, but becomes dull, deepening 

 into unconsciousness and deep coma if a large quantity has been taken. 



Convulsions are reported to have occurred in some cases from poison- 

 ing by this toadstool in man. The dried Amanita muscaria or extracts 

 of the fresh fail to produce convulsions in the lower animals, even in 

 frogs, which are very susceptible. Either there is a considerable dif- 

 ference in the susceptibility to this poison or there is some poison pres- 

 ent in the fresh fungus which is lost by drying. 



Small amounts of the dried Amanita muscaria are said to be used by 

 inhabitants of northern Asia for the stimulating effect upon the nervous 

 system, producing, like other narcotic poisons, a dreamy state of intoxi- 

 cation, deepening into sleep (Von Boeck in Ziemssen's Cyclopedia of 

 Medicine, Vol. VII). 



In animals the most striking effect is upon the circulation. When in- 

 jected intravenously it causes tremendous inhibition of the heart's action 

 a moderate amount causing the heart to beat slowly and powerfully ; 

 a large amount causing complete arrest. Even with the partial inhibi- 

 tion there is an enormous fall of pressure. The slowing of the heart 

 soon passes off, and when a moderate amount has been injected, the cir- 

 culation quickly returns to normal. 



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