An Unusual Case of Strychnine Poisoning |
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| Authors: | Sebastien Prat M.D. Guillaume Hoizey Ph.D. Thierry Lefrancq M.D. Pauline Saint‐Martin M.D. Ph.D. |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Forensic Psychiatry Department, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, ON, Canada;2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada;3. E.A. 2114 Psychologie des ages de la vie, Université Fran?ois Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France;4. Additional information and reprints requests:;5. Sébastien Prat, M.D.;6. Forensic Psychiatry Department;7. St Joseph's Healthcare;8. Centre for Mountain Health Services;9. 100 West 5th Street;10. Hamilton, ON L8N 3K7, Canada;11. E‐mail:;12. Toxlab, Paris, France;13. Centre de Pathologie, Nevers, France;14. Institut Médico‐légal, Centre Hospitalo‐Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France;15. Faculté de Médecine, Université Fran?ois Rabelais de Tours, Tours, France |
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| Abstract: | Strychnine‐related death has been described since the 19th century. This alkaloid was discovered in 1818. Historically, strychnine was used by the South‐East Asian autochthones on their arrows. However, its production was modified by legislation, which was used to protect people against accidental intoxications. Here, we present the case of a 69‐year‐old man who was found dead at home. During the autopsy, we found a blue substance in the stomach. Toxicological analysis measured strychnine at 0.29 μg/mL in the blood sample, which is a relatively low level in comparison with the results given in the literature. However, histologic examination and toxicological findings permitted the conclusion of strychnine poisoning. |
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| Keywords: | forensic medicine forensic pathology strychnine poisoning Strychnos nux vomica rodenticide |
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