International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine
  • Year: 2008
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 2

Epidemic dropsy – An overview

  • Author:
  • A Agarwal1,, Radha K1, S Nizamani1, A Foead1, LH Ghotekar2
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 9 to 14

1Faculty of Medicine, University Technology MARA, Malaysia

2Department of Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Anshoo Agarwal, c/o Dr A. N Agarwal, Gill-Colony, Court Road, Saharanpur-247001, (U. P.), India. E-mail: anshu3@hotmail.com

Abstract

Epidemic dropsy, an epidemic caused by Argemone oil is an unique and frequently missed entity. The usage of edible oil contaminated with Argemone oil for food or body massage could lead to disastrous effects. The symptoms vary from bilateral leg oedema, diarrhoea, dyspnoea and cardiac failure. The complication of glaucoma and optic disc vasculitis is also worth mentioning because the presentation deviates from the most common alarming symptoms of glaucoma. No specific treatment is known at present. Diagnostic modalities and other precautions are required to prevent the outburst and misery due to this epidemic.

Keywords

Dropsy, Epidemic, Argemone mexicana, Swollen leg disease, Mustard oil, Sanguinarine