title: Argemone mexicana poisoning: autopsy findings of two cases.
abstract: Epidemic dropsy, a disease due to Argemone mexicana poisoning, is characterized by pathological accumulation of diluted lymph in body tissues and cavities. Recently, the largest epidemic of the disease in India affected Delhi and its neighboring states during the months of August-September 1998. Over 3000 persons fell ill, and more than 65 died in the state of Delhi alone. Two cases belonging to the same family died, out of the large number of cases admitted in this tertiary care teaching hospital situated in eastern part of Delhi. Autopsy findings of these two cases are presented and discussed here along with the review of toxicity due to this poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University College of Medical Sciences & G.T.B. Hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi 110095, India. dbmi@ucms.ernet.in
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dev
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goomber
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Jain
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; C030610:argemone oil