Poison
Poison is a deadly, yet life saving substance that is used in our life. Find out different kinds of poison, cures and effects by reading this website.
Uses
Throughout human history, intentional application of poison has been used as a method of assassination, murder, suicide and execution. Most poisonous materials still in use are used for their chemical or physical properties other than being poisonous. Many medications, such as Aspirin and Tylenol, are quite toxic if you eat it in large quantities. Even alcohol can become poisonous if too much is ingested in a short enough time. Poison is used in Bug spray, certain kinds of gas, rat poison, and much more.
Poisonous Animals
Even animals use poisons. The poison dart frog, for example, secretes lipophilic alkaloid toxins through their skin. When predators attack it, the poison will hurt the predator. Many different animals use poisons, such as jellyfish, scorpions, many kinds of bugs, stingray, etc.
Poisonous Plants
Many food plants possess toxic parts, are toxic unless processed, or are toxic at certain stages of their life. Apples seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides. In most species, the amount found in a single fruit won't kill a person; but it is possible to ingest enough seeds to provide a fatal dose. Cassava has toxic in the unprocessed form. Cherries, as well as other species such as peaches, plums, almonds and apricots have leaves and seeds that contain cyanogenic glycosides. Potatoes have foliage and have green-tinged tubers that are toxic, containing the glycoalkaloid solanine, which develops as a result of exposure to light. It causes intense digestive disturbances, and nervous symptoms. Tomatoes' foliage and vines contain alkaloid poisons which cause digestive upset and nervous excitement.
Food plants aren't the only ones who cause poison.The leaves and berries of ivy plants are poisonous, causing stomach pains, labored breathing, possible coma. Holly berries cause vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. Most oak species' foliage and acorns are mildly poisonous, causing digestive upset, heart trouble and contact dermatitis.
Cures
Some poisons have specific cures such as: Naloxone for opioids, Pyridoxine for Isoniazi, Physostigmine for Atropine and more. In the majority of poisonings, the mainstay of management is providing supportive care for the patient, (i.e. treating the symptoms rather than the poison.)
