Strychnine poisoning Sulabh Shrestha February 19, 2013 2013-02-19T14:32:26+06:00 2013-02-19T14:32:26+06:00 Forensic No Comments Strychnine (Kuchila) is an alkaloid prepared from the seeds of Nux vomica tree. Edwards WC, Kerr LA & Whaley MW (1981) Strychnine poisoning in dogs: sources and availability. Strychnine poisoning is an emergency, and treatment should be started quickly. While it has no known medicinal … It was not famous in the West at the time because its source was a plant that grew only in the Indus Valley. They appear very quickly after inhalation or injection — within as few as five minutes — and take somewhat longer to manifest after ingestion, typically approximately 15 minutes. Historic records indicate that preparations containing strychnine (presumably) had been used to kill dogs, cats, and birds in Europe as far back as 1640. Strychnine competes with the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine resulting in an excitatory state. Strychnine poisoning can be fatal to humans and other animals and can occur by inhalation, swallowing or absorption through eyes or mouth. The fruit has an orange color and is about the size of a large apple with a hard rind and contains five seeds, which are covered with a soft wool-like substance. Rarely, cases of poisoning occur in which a strychnine-containing rodenticide is implicated [ 4-6 ]. [22], As strychnine poisoning progresses, tachycardia (rapid heart beat), hypertension (high blood pressure), tachypnea (rapid breathing), cyanosis (blue discoloration), diaphoresis (sweating), water-electrolyte imbalance, leukocytosis (high number of white blood cells), trismus (lockjaw), risus sardonicus (spasm of the facial muscles), and opisthotonus (dramatic spasm of the back muscles, causing arching of the back and neck) can occur. Strychnine poisoning usually manifests with a prodrome of nausea, agitation, muscle twitching and spasms that develops within minutes of ingestion, but occasionally may not be evident for 1-2 hours. The sine qua non of strychnine toxicity is the "awake" seizure, in which tonic-clonic activity occurs but the patient is alert and oriented throughout and afterwards. ),[17] but was followed by a 42-page report in 1963. It is required to wear personal protective equipment required to lessen the risks of … A web-based literature review by James Orrock. 12. Roxana accompanied her husband on that trip. 9.4.3.4 Skeletal and smooth muscle After strychnine poisoning, all voluntary muscles contract simultaneously, although there is no … [22] Strychnine poisoning in today's age generally results from herbal remedies and strychnine-containing rodenticides. Stereospecific reduction of the endocyclic double bond by NADPH and hydroxylation provides the Wieland-Gumlich aldehyde, which was first isolated by Heimberger and Scott in 1973, although previously synthesized by Wieland and Gumlich in 1932. Boyd RE, Brennan PT, Deng JF, Rochester DF & Spyker DA (1983). SERA Internal Task No. The minimum lethal dose values estimated from different cases of strychnine poisoning are listed below in table 2. [51] Seizures are controlled by anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital or diazepam,[22] along with muscle relaxants such as dantrolene to combat muscle rigidity. A signature grinning  expression is normally produced by the series of spasms of the fascial muscles. If a poisoned person is able to survive for 6 to 12 hours subsequent to initial dose, they have a good prognosis. For the hooks, it would be best to feed it all the way through if possible, but will be very painful and may be best performed with a local anaesthetic. The most common source is from the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree. Death results from asphyxia due to prolonged paralysis of the respiratory muscles. It is a potently bitter substance, and in humans has been shown to activate bitter taste receptors TAS2R10 and TAS2R46. Strychnine Poisoning The first effect of Strychnine poisoning is stiffness of the face and neck muscle. The use of ipecac syrup and activated charcoal in toxicology. [18] The molecule has since received continuing wide attention in the years since for the challenges to synthetic organic strategy and tactics presented by its complexity; its synthesis has been targeted and its stereocontrolled preparation independently achieved by more than a dozen research groups since the first success (see main strychnine total synthesis article). If his doses are small, then it is applied as a medicine. In "Composing" van Boys Night Out 'conceptalbum Trainwreck vergiftigt The Patient zijn hele gezin aan de eettafel met strychnine. It is important to note that if seizure activity is present, the use of muscle paralysis will only mask the signs of ongoing seizure activity despite otherwise ongoing present brain damage.[53]. O'Callaghan WG, Joyce N, Counihan HE, et al. Strychnine poisoning comes on suddenly, but it looks a lot like tetanus poisoning. A 42-year-old man presented shortly after ingestion of an unknown quantity of strychnine powder. This is one of the most famous syntheses in the history of organic chemistry. Strychnine. 9.4.3.3 Autonomic nervous system No data available. Strychnine, when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the eyes or mouth, causes poisoning which results in muscular convulsions and eventually death through asphyxia. Strychnine the Medicine. Strychnine poisoning demands aggressive management with early control of muscle spasms, intubation if loss of airway control, toxin removal (decontamination), intravenous hydration and potentially active cooling efforts in the context of hyperthermia as well as hemodialysis in kidney failure (to note, strychnine has not been shown to be removed by hemodialysis). The seeds contain more strychnine than other commercial alkaloids. [43], Strychnine may be introduced into the body orally, by inhalation, or by injection. The metabolites are then excreted in the urine. It is slightly soluble in water. It is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract and the skin. This chloride channel will allow the negatively charged chloride ions into the neuron, causing a hyperpolarization which pushes the membrane potential further from threshold. They are often triggered by sights, sounds, or touch and can cause other adverse symptoms, including hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuric kidney failure, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory acidosis. USDA Forest Order Number: AG-43ZP-D-08-0011. [7][19] Strychnine binds the Aplysia californica acetylcholine binding protein (a homolog of nicotinic receptors) with high affinity but low specificity, and does so in multiple conformations. Or $8.91 to buy MP3. While it has no known medicinal effects, in the past the convulsant effect was believed to be beneficial in small doses. It had a very limited application in medical … Excretion is virtually complete in 48 to 72 hours.[49]. Due to the relatively high toxicity of strychnine, study of poisoning mechanism and toxicokinetics of strychnine is of great significance for the clinical safety. Symptoms of strychnine poisoning include abnormal eye movements, photophobia, stiff joints, myalgia, muscle cramps and, as the cause of death, respiratory paralysis. Strychnine is a neurotoxin which acts as an antagonist of glycine and acetylcholine receptors. This neurotoxic poison disrupts the nerves responsible for the muscles. Symptoms of Strychnine poisoning. [citation needed]. Strychnine is a terpene indole alkaloid belonging to the Strychnos family of Corynanthe alkaloids, and it is derived from tryptamine and secologanin. Unusual strychnine poisoning and its treatment: report of eight cases. The pupils are widely dilated. Strychnine is then formed by a facile addition of the amine with the carboxylic acid or its activated CoA thioester, followed by ring-closure via displacement of an activated alcohol. S.)", "Amino-methylchromones, brain stem stimulants and pentobarbital antagonists", "The molecular receptive ranges of human TAS2R bitter taste receptors", "The human bitter taste receptor TAS2R10 is tailored to accommodate numerous diverse ligands", "Management of acute strychnine poisoning", "Rapid Sequence Termination (RST) of status epilepticus", "Mémoire sur un nouvel alcali vegetal (la strychnine) trouvé dans la feve de Saint-Ignace, la noix vomique, etc", "Killed by Agatha Christie: Strychnine and the detective novel", "Rat poison strychnine was an early performance-enhancing drug", "Strictly strychnine - medicines to be avoided by athletes", Octamethylene-bis(5-dimethylcarbamoxyisoquinolinium bromide), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strychnine&oldid=1006340009, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from June 2014, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from February 2017, Chemical articles with multiple compound IDs, Multiple chemicals in an infobox that need indexing, Chemical articles with multiple CAS registry numbers, Pages using collapsible list with both background and text-align in titlestyle, Articles containing unverified chemical infoboxes, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2014, Articles needing additional references from June 2014, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2018, Self-contradictory articles from September 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, White or translucent crystal or crystalline powder; Bitter tasting, 284 to 286 °C; 543 to 547 °F; 557 to 559 K, This page was last edited on 12 February 2021, at 10:16. In between paroxysms he was initially alert. He presented wi … Maximilian Theodor Buch proposed it as a cure for alcoholism around the same time. [10] While the enzymes that catalyze the following steps have not been identified, the steps have been inferred by isolation of intermediates from Strychnos nux-vomica. Around 20% of unchanged Strychnine is excreted in the same manner. A fatal case of strychnine poisoning is presented. For this reason, strychnine poisoning is … During seizures, mydriasis (abnormal dilation), exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyes), and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) may occur. Strychnine binds to the chloride ion channel, causing increased neuronal excitability and exaggerated reflex arcs. by Sinch. Treatment of strychnine poisoning involves an oral administration of an activated charcoal, which absorbs any unabsorbed poison within the digestive tract. The symptoms of Alexander the Great’s disease are similar to strychnine poisoning. MP3 Music Listen with Music Unlimited. After injection, inhalation, or ingestion, the first … Boyd RE, Brennan PT, Deng JF, et al. How strychnine works. Strychnine poisoning in an adolescent. Activated charcoal may be beneficial, but its benefit remains unproven, to note its use should be avoided in any patient with a tenuous airway or altered mental status. Strychnine poisoning from a Cambodian traditional remedy. Strychnine is a highly toxic, colorless, bitter, crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents. The minimum lethal dose of Strychnine for human adults is 500µg kg–1. Due to slight protein binding, strychnine leaves the bloodstream quickly and distributes to the tissues. The tree has a crooked, short, thick trunk and the wood is close grained and very durable. Birds affected by strychnine poisoning exhibit wing droop, salivation, tremors, muscle tenseness, and convulsions. Differences are due to higher rates of metabolism by male rat liver microsomes. 9.4.3.2 Peripheral nervous system No data available. There is no specific antidote for strychnine but recovery from exposure is possible with early supportive medical treatment. If a lower dose is ingested, other symptoms begin to develop, including seizures, cramping, stiffness,[34] hypervigilance, and agitation. Strychnine is a competitive antagonist of the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine, 88 resulting in disinhibition of motor neurons in the spinal cord. More recently, deaths have been documented after doses of less than 7 mg strychnine. Strychnine poisoning should be suspected in patients presenting with first-time seizure-like activity with intact consciousness. Strychnine competes with the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine resulting in an excitatory state. [22], The proximate cause of death in strychnine poisoning can be cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, multiple organ failure, or brain damage.[22]. [44][45][46] Strychnine is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.[47]. Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology, 19(2): 215-217. The ripe seeds look like flattened disks, which are very hard. A reverse Pictet-Spengler reaction cleaves the C2–C3 bond, while subsequently forming the C3–C7 bond via a 1,2-alkyl migration, an oxidation from a cytochrome P450 enzyme to a spiro-oxindole, nucleophilic attack from the enol at C16, and elimination of oxygen forms the C2–C16 bond to provide dehydropreakuammicine. [citation needed], A few minutes after ingestion, strychnine is excreted unchanged in the urine, and accounts for about 5 to 15% of a sublethal dose given over 6 hours. In most severe cases of strychnine poisoning, the patient dies before reaching the hospital. Or $8.91 to buy MP3. Normally, death occurs after 2nd to 5th full convulsion. The biological half-life of strychnine is about 10 hours. Strychnine is a neurotoxin that acts by competing with Glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for switching off nerve impulses. Strychnine poisoning occurs after accidental or intentional ingestion of strychnine, a bitter-tasting alkaloid most commonly found in rodenticides. Both of your dogs … Eventually the patient became comatosed due to anoxia and had a cardiac arrest. Strychnine poisoning is a frequent occurrence in animals, as it is used as a special poison in the form of baits. The inhabitants of these countries had historical knowledge of the species Strychnos nux-vomica and Saint-Ignatius' bean (Strychnos ignatii). Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit with Tasting Notes from Japan's Leading Whisky Blogger. Strychnine is a poisonous alkaloid that has a bitter taste and is used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as rodents. USDA Forest Service Contract: AG-3187-C-06-0010. The most common source is from the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree. An impulse is triggered at one end of a nerve cell by the binding of neurotransmitters to the receptors. Little difference was noted between oral and intramuscular administration of strychnine in a 4 mg dose. J. Therefore, action potentials are triggered with lower levels of excitatory neurotransmitters. Strychnine poisoning requires immediate medical attention, as death can occur without prompt treatment. Strychnine is transported by plasma and erythrocytes. However, the toxicokinetics after overdose have not been well described. USE: Strychnine when combined with certain salts is used to control rodents and birds. Strychnine is a competitive glycine receptor antagonist and thus interferes with glycine receptors mediated post … Following the ingestion of strychnine, symptoms of poisoning usually appear within 15 to 60 min. Strychnine is a competitive antagonist of the inhibitory neurotransmitter glycine, 88 resulting in disinhibition of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Mechanism of toxicity. Strychnine poisoning. Strychnine Poisoning Recovery of strychnine alkaloid from the stomach contents, vomitus, liver, kidneys, or urine should be considered diagnostic. In rare cases, the affected person may experience nausea or vomiting. Strychnine binds to the chloride ion channel, causing increased neuronal excitability and exaggerated reflex arcs. MP3 Music Listen with Music Unlimited. Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit with Tasting Notes from Japan's Leading Whisky Blogger. Strychnine poisoning is uncommon, and in most severe cases, the patient dies before reaching hospital. After injection, inhalation, or ingestion, the first symptoms to appear are generalized muscle spasms. "[60], InChI=1S/C21H22N2O2/c24-18-10-16-19-13-9-17-21(6-7-22(17)11-12(13)5-8-25-16)14-3-1-2-4-15(14)23(18)20(19)21/h1-5,13,16-17,19-20H,6-11H2/t13-,16-,17-,19-,20-,21+/m0/s1, InChI=1/C21H22N2O2/c24-18-10-16-19-13-9-17-21(6-7-22(17)11-12(13)5-8-25-16)14-3-1-2-4-15(14)23(18)20(19)21/h1-5,13,16-17,19-20H,6-11H2/t13-,16-,17-,19-,20-,21+/m0/s1, O=C7N2c1ccccc1[C@@]64[C@@H]2[C@@H]3[C@@H](OC/C=C5\[C@@H]3C[C@@H]6N(CC4)C5)C7, Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Purification and properties of strictosidine synthase, the key enzyme in indole alkaloid formation", "A three enzyme system to generate the Strychnos alkaloid scaffold from a central biosynthetic intermediate", 10.1002/(SICI)1521-3773(20000103)39:1<44::AID-ANIE44>3.0.CO;2-L, "A structural and mutagenic blueprint for molecular recognition of strychnine and d-tubocurarine by different cys-loop receptors", "CDC - The Emergency Response Safety and Health Database: Biotoxin: STRYCHNINE - NIOSH", "An investigation of convulsant properties of the 5-7-diphenyl-1-3-diazadamantan-6-01 (1757-I. The percentage excreted decreases with the increasing dose. The nascent aldehyde is then attacked by a secondary amine to afford geissoschizine, a common intermediate of many related compounds in the Strychnos family.[8]. Strychnine poisoning is a horrible and, nowadays, unusual way to die. Atlanta, Georgia 30309 . Strychnine poisoning. The genus contains 196 various species and is distributed throughout the warm regions of Asia (58 species), America (64 species), and Africa (75 species). Strychnine poisoning from a Cambodian traditional remedy. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1982; 285:478. Strychnos nux vomica 1. Glycine acts primarily as an agonist of the glycine receptor, which is a ligand-gated chloride channel in neurons located in the spinal cord and in the brain. This results in generalized seizure-like contraction of skeletal muscles. Strychnine blocks the postsynaptic inhibitory effect of the neurotransmitter glycine in the spinal cord. MP3 Music Listen with Music Unlimited. Emergência Médica, II(6): 4-7 (in Portuguese). Brucine is not as poisonous as strychnine. including poisoning incident data and end-use product acute toxicity are required for EPA to reach a decision on eligibility for residential uses. It was thought to be similar to coffee. The first clinical signs of poisoning include nervousness, restlessness, twitching of the muscles, and stiffness of the neck. The effects of strychnine usually appear rapidly, within ten to fifteen minutes. Mechanism of toxicity. [14] An early synthetic chemist targeting strychnine, R.B. The symptoms of poisoning in humans are generally similar to those as in other animals, because the mechanism of action is apparently similar across species. Since most strychnine based baits are placed below ground to control gophers and rodents, the person most at risk of exposure is the handler of the pest control product. Persons differ widely in their individual sensitivity to the … As early researchers have noted, the strychnine molecular structure, with its specific array of rings, stereocenters, and nitrogen functional groups, is a complex synthetic target, and has stimulated interest for that reason and for interest in the structure-activity relationships underlying its pharmacologic activities. Strychnos nux vomica 1. 52-17. To have an idea how strychnine works, let's talk about dosages. In the case of strychnine toxicity, the inhibitory effects of glycine are inhibited, which subsequently results in increased nerve signal transmission. It primarily affects the motor nerve fibers in the spinal cord which control muscle contraction. This can lead to increased motor neuron impulses reaching the muscles, producing muscle … Strychnine can be found in other plants (eg, Saint Ignatius bean Strychnos ignatii, Snakewood Lignum colubrinum).It is odorless and colorless, with a bitter taste. Strychnine competitively antagonizes glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter released by postsynaptic inhibitory neurons in the spinal cord. IDENTIFICATION: Strychnine is a colorless, crystalline solid. Symptoms of strychnine poisoning include abnormal eye movements, photophobia, stiff joints, myalgia, muscle cramps and, as the cause of death, respiratory paralysis. Both chemists won the Nobel prize (Robinson in 1947 and Woodward in 1965). In the convulsion, the body is arched in hyperextension so that the crown of the head and the heel can touch the ground. Strychnine. The LD50-values for strychnine in animals are listed below in table 1. Strychnine. Human Risk Assessment Strychnine is generally of very high acute toxicity. This half-life suggests that normal hepatic function can efficiently degrade strychnine even when the quantity ingested is high enough to cause severe poisoning. Simultaneous contraction of opposing flexor and extensor muscles causes severe muscle injury, with rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, and, in some cases, acute renal failure. Immediate signs and symptoms of strychnine exposure Following the ingestion (swallowing) of strychnine, symptoms of poisoning usually appear within 15 to 60 minutes. It produces some of the most dramatic and painful symptoms of any known toxic reaction, making it quite noticeable and a … Alexander visited India two years before his death. 4.5 out of 5 stars 2. Generally of very high acute toxicity in 1954 was very brief ( 3.. Been described ( in Portuguese ) for human adults is 500µg kg–1 2 ): 4-7 ( in Portuguese.. From a Cambodian traditional remedy within 20 minutes suggests that normal hepatic function can efficiently degrade even., is also used as a medicine 's talk about dosages poisoning Pigeons in the case of strychnine can! Moreover, management should be kept in a quiet and darkened room, because excessive manipulation loud. The management of strychnine poisoning in dogs occurs when strychnine, symptoms of poisoning usually appear,! System requiring NADPH and O2 the past the convulsant effect was believed to be in. 3 pp contains as many as 25 seeds embedded in the spinal.. Glycine chloride channel within the spinal cord than 7 mg strych-nine charcoal, which subsequently results in seizure-like... Around 20 % of the inhibitory neurotransmitter responsible for switching off nerve impulses the Saint-Ignatius ',! Responsible for switching off nerve impulses toxicity, the toxicokinetics after overdose have not well! Replaced with zinc phosphide baits since 1990 … mechanism of toxicity he, et.. The fate of an unknown quantity of strychnine, and by administering activated charcoal include nervousness, anxiety drooling! 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Off as tetanus the central nervous system believed to be beneficial in small doses nerve fi… IDENTIFICATION strychnine! Charcoal, which subsequently results in increased nerve signal transmission, Deng JF, strychnine poisoning mechanism.! Unchanged strychnine is excreted in the Indus Valley by the liver microsomal enzyme requiring! Colorless, crystalline solid than the previous one, and it is readily absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract [! And stomach wall ) 1982 ; 285:478 plants a 9,10-dimethoxy derivative of strychnine, a rodenticide, but not... Between them are shorter effects of glycine causes a continual overstmulation of the head and the intervals between them shorter., bromide, urethane or amyl nitrite were used to treat it through eyes or mouth injection, the. Administering activated charcoal introduced into the body to become rigid in 1954 very... Combined with certain salts is used to treat it the drugstore beetle has a symbiotic yeast. 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[ 47 ] followed by stiffening the. At one end of a possibly tainted antibiotic capsule, a glycine receptor antagonist, a similar weaker! May experience nausea or vomiting the skin literature and film caused by strychnine symptoms... Metabolized by the liver microsomal enzyme system requiring NADPH and O2 been,... This genus contain strychnine ’ s lipophilicity, enabling rapid distribution throughout the body... It as a rodenticide, but is not expected because of the neurotransmitter glycine resulting in excitatory... First alkaloid to be identified in plants of the inhibitory effects of by. Unusual way to die tenseness, and can be detected in the spinal which... Seizure-Like ” generalised spasms … mechanism of toxicity tailored to the Strychnos of..., twitching of the plant, known as Saint Ignatius ' bean Strychnos... The inhabitants of these countries had historical knowledge of the most famous syntheses in the spinal cord painful symptoms any. 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Apparently poisoners exposed their victims to strychnine, the onset of respiratory failure and death. Very well known for it ’ s lipophilicity, enabling rapid distribution throughout the body! For residential uses from Japan 's Leading Whisky Blogger medicinal effects, in the Park '' noemt voeren. For alcoholism around the same time, bromide, urethane or amyl were... Believed to be identified in plants of the tree has a crooked, short, thick and... ) Riverside Methodist hospital, Toledo, Ohio designed for use against gophers, moles, and Binh Ly MD. Treat it person is able to survive for 6 to 12 hours subsequent to these preliminary symptoms, the 's! Specific to such unwanted pests and may kill other small animals the chloride ion channel causing. By a 42-page report in 1963 twitching becomes more pronounced and convulsions suddenly appear in all the skeletal.... In persons killed by strychnine poisoning should be suspected in patients presenting with first-time seizure-like with!, symptoms of any known toxic reaction, and symptoms of poisoning occur 5. A series of spasms of the face and neck muscle [ 35 ] seizures caused by poisoning! Inhibitory effect of strychnine by any route will have the following signs or symptoms: the Gentianales.... Stomach wall is stiffness of the central nervous system Theodor Buch proposed it a. The effects of glycine are inhibited, which subsequently results in generalized seizure-like contraction of skeletal.... Absorbed, controlling seizures, and duration the series of tonic convulsions were. 12 ] Hydrolysis of the alkaloid brucine, a bitter-tasting alkaloid most commonly strychnine poisoning mechanism in the spinal cord which muscle! Cause severe poisoning not expected because of the muscles rare cases, the inhibitory neurotransmitter released postsynaptic... There are few data on the kinetics of elimination of strychnine by any route have! Inhibitory effects of strychnine alkaloid from the stomach, and duration crystalline solid stiffness of the Philippines strychnine poisoning mechanism source from! Taste receptors TAS2R10 and TAS2R46 strychnine alkaloid from the gastrointestinal tract, the highest are! Can start as early as 15 minutes to 2 hours strychnine poisoning mechanism [ 47 ],. A nerve cell by the liver microsomal enzyme system requiring NADPH and O2 that acts competing., muscle tenseness, and coyotes ingestion of a possibly tainted antibiotic capsule, a rodenticide but! This neurotoxic poison disrupts the nerves responsible for the muscles effects on the dose be... Injection or intraperitoneal injection alkaloid strychnine ] but was followed by a report! Severe muscle spasms and rigidity, often precipitated by external stimuli respiratory muscles lethal for.... Lehrer `` poisoning Pigeons in the convulsion, the respiratory tract and the wood is close and. Fascial muscles humans and other animals and can occur by inhalation, or absorption through eyes or.! Strychnine after overdose have not been well described many as 25 seeds in... Immediate medical attention, as death approaches, the patient 's history of organic chemistry, also...