Dhatura poisoning: Is it rare?

Poisoning is an important cause of morbidity as well as mortality in India, more than 50,000 people die of poisoning every year. Dhatura poisoning is relatively rare in occurrence which is mostly accidental. However, its use as a roadside poison with criminal intension for the purpose of robbery and kidnapping is frequently reported in media. The victims are usually travelers by train or long distance buses. Suicidal poisoning still occurs but rarely. Analysis of Dhatura poisoning cases encountered in Pruvara Rural Hospital, Loni, over a period of 12 years has been done.