| Summary Information |
| Diseases
/
List of Toxic Diseases
/ Disease summary |
| Alternative Names |
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and thorn apple (Datura
stramonium) toxicosis.
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and thorn apple (Datura
stramonium) poisoning.
|
| Disease Agents |
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and thorn apple (Datura
stramonium).
- Toxic agents in Datura stramonium include atropine and other
atropine-like chemicals - scopolamine and hyoscine.
(B450.8.w8, B455.w2)
|
| Infectious
Agent(s) |
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum) and thorn apple (Datura
stramonium)
|
| Non-infectious
Agent(s) |
|
| Physical
Agent(s) |
--
|
| General Description |
Clinical signs
- A captive female elephant (Elephas maximus
- Asian Elephant) showed apparent blindness with associated
stumbling and falling, depression, trunk paresis,
prolapse of the nictitating membranes across the eyeballs and mydriasis with no pupil
response to bright light. (J3.110.w6)
- Salivation was decreased and the tongue became dry. (J3.110.w6)
- On clinical examination the respiration and heart rate were normal, but respiration was
considered shallower than normal and the heart beat decreased in
strength. (J3.110.w6)
- Signs had started at 11 am; by 16.30 the same day the elephant
appeared normal except for mydriasis (considered probably due to
the atropine given in treatment), and was eating. (J3.110.w6)
- No defecation occurred until early the following morning (the
incident having occurred mid-morning). (J3.110.w6)
Incubation
- Signs were recorded approximately 45 minutes after the elephant had
arrived at a wasteland area
where hemlock (Conium maculatum) and
thorn apple (Datura stramonium) were consumed. (J3.110.w6)
|
| Further Information |
Note:
Although there was evidence that both plants were ingested, the clinical
signs and rapidity of onset described suggest Datura stramonium
rather than Conium maculatum poisoning.
(B455.w2)
Treatment:
- Atropine sulphate: 16 mg intramuscularly was given in this case.
(J3.110.w6);
- Note: Atropine is the toxic agent found in Datura,
furthermore atropine is not used to treat Conium toxicity. This animal
survived despite the treatment. (B450.8.w8)
- A "large dose" [not specified] short acting corticosteroid. (J3.110.w6)
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| Associated Techniques |
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| Host taxa groups /species |
Further information on Host species has only
been incorporated for species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and
Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature
review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed
below:
(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this
disease)
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