Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Goa Medical College, Goa
A case is reported where-in a mother and son died soon after consuming a herbal decoction bought from a traditional vaidya for the relief of abdominal complaints. Postmortem examination revealed reddish watery fluid oozing out of the corners of their mouths, and intense congestion of organs, including the stomach, intestine, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and brain. Chemical analysis was decided to be undertaken, as no conclusion could be drawn from the postmortem findings. This revealed the presence of strychnos nux vomica alkaloids (strychnine and brucine) in the stomach contents and other viscera. Death was apparently due to accidental strychnine poisoning.
Strychnine is reported to be used by vaidyas and hakims in their herbal multi-ingredient preparations for a variety of disorders. Ingestion of these medicinal powders could result in fatal accidental poisoning. Strychnine, it should be remembered, is one of the most deadly poisons known. Brucine is comparatively less toxic. Caution should be exercised while visiting traditional hakims or vaidyas who sell crude plants or herbal powders, which could pose a threat to life.
