456 DISEASES DUE TO VENOMS AND POISONS 



Secondary vomiling. \'eiy few indeed recover who reach the second 

 stage. 



(2) Convulsions. — In a few minnles there are convulsions, var}-ing 

 in given cases from twitching movements to definite massive convul- 

 sions; single clonic muscular spasms to marked epileptoid clonic 

 contractions. 



(3) Coma. — The coma is deep and fatal. The conjunctival reflex 

 is absent. 



The temperature is usually normal or up to 101° F. The pulse 

 90-100. The respirations 26-30. 



There is no delirium. 



Recovery or death is very rapid, even in one hour. 

 . The average time from the onset of symptoms to death is i2"j hours. 



The final picture is probably due to rapid absorption of toxins from 

 the empty stomach. 



PATHOLOGY. 



There is hypera^mia of most of the organs, including the meninges, 

 with oedema of the suppurating tissue. 



There are small extravasations in the kidneys, adrenals, Ivmpli 

 glands, spleen and lungs. 



Microbiotic changes in the kidney tubules, pancreas and liver. 



Fatty changes in many organs, especially the liver, kidneys, 

 pancreatic cells, heart muscle, and the large Betz cells in the brain. 



MORTALITY. 



80-90 per cent, of those attacked die. 



PROPHYLAXIS. 



To prohibit the fruits of Blighia sapida to be used as food. 

 To educate the people as to its dangers. 



If not sufficient, then to request powers to destroy all the trees in 

 the island. 



POISONS USED FOR POISON ORDEALS, FIGHTING, FISHING, 



HUNTING. 



The poison ordeal once prevalent in England is common in Africa. 



The local witch doctor prepares a mixture more or less poisonous, 

 which is given to a person "suspected " of some crime. The ingre- 

 dients of many of these preparations are unknown, but poisons from 

 the Loganiaceal, Apocyanaceal, LeguminosiE and Salanaceal are 

 commonly used. In West Africa the sliced root bark of Strychnos 

 icaja or decoction of strophanthus is used. If after drinking a 



