Poison: Classification
- Forensic toxicology deals with medical and legal aspects of the harmful effects of the chemicals on the human body. Paracelsus is called father of toxicology. Mathieu orfila is thought of as father of modern toxicology
- Poison is a substance, which may be liquid, solid or gas, which when administered in small quantity into living body or brought into contact with any part of it, leads to injury to health or destruction of life by its action.
Classification of Poisons
(A) Corrosives or local (it erodes the surface with which it comes in contact)
(1) Strong Acids:
(2) Strong Alkali:
(B) Irritants: (they causes inflammation on the site of contact esp GIT, respiratory tract and skin).for eg- Capsicum Annuum (Chillies) when applied on the skin or mucosa cause irritation and pain but is not fatal even when taken internally.Also, Croton Tiglium – fatal dose is 4 seeds. Semecarpus Anacardium – fatal dose is 5 – 10 gm. Cantharides – fatal dose is 15 – 50 mh.
Irritants cab be (1) Inorganic (2) Mechanical. (3) Organic
(C) Systemic:which involves toxic effect on a particular system or act on one or more systems of the body. These are:
- CNS depressants: Alcohol, opioids (Constricted pupil, Respiratory depression), Orthostatic hypotension
- CNS stimulants: antidepressants, amphetamine, caffeine
- Deliriants: dhatura(Pupil dilatation), balladona,cocaine
- Spinal: nux vomica, (strychnine), gelsemium
- Peripheral: curare, conium
- Cardiotoxic poisons: aconite (mitha bish), quinine, tobacco, cyanide, Oleander, Nicotine, Digitalis (foxglove), Hydrocyanic acid.
- Asphyxiants: CO, H2S, CO2
- Nephrotoxic: Oxalic Acid, Mercury,
- Cantherides Hepatotoxic: Phosphorus, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform .
Miscellaneous: Agrochemicals, Pesticides: organophosphorous, Fumigants:alphos, Rhodenticides: thalium, Zn phosphide, Drug dependence, Petroleum products, Food poisoning, Analgesic, Antipyretic.
Exam Important
Classification of Poisons
(A) Corrosives or local (it erodes the surface with which it comes in contact)
(1) Strong Acids:
(2) Strong Alkali:
(B) Irritants: (they causes inflammation on the site of contact esp GIT, respiratory tract and skin).for eg- Capsicum Annuum (Chillies) when applied on the skin or mucosa cause irritation and pain but is not fatal even when taken internally.Also, Croton Tiglium – fatal dose is 4 seeds. Semecarpus Anacardium – fatal dose is 5 – 10 gm. Cantharides – fatal dose is 15 – 50 mh.
Irritants cab be (1) Inorganic (2) Mechanical. (3) Organic
(C) Systemic:which involves toxic effect on a particular system or act on one or more systems of the body. These are:
- CNS depressants: Alcohol, opioids (Constricted pupil, Respiratory depression), Orthostatic hypotension
- CNS stimulants: antidepressants, amphetamine, caffeine
- Deliriants: dhatura(Pupil dilatation), balladona,cocaine
- Spinal: nux vomica, (strychnine), gelsemium
- Peripheral: curare, conium
- Cardiotoxic poisons: aconite (mitha bish), quinine, tobacco, cyanide, Oleander, Nicotine, Digitalis (foxglove), Hydrocyanic acid.
- Asphyxiants: CO, H2S, CO2
- Nephrotoxic: Oxalic Acid, Mercury,
- Cantherides Hepatotoxic: Phosphorus, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloroform .
