Group poisoning by belladonna
Pestalozzi, B.C.; Caduff, F.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 116(27-28): 924-926
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 3738464 Document Number: 284322
A case is reported of collective intoxication in nine youths through self-brewed belladonna tea. Apart from peripheral anticholinergic symptoms, some of them had delirious states with visual hallucinations. The self-made tea was re-brewed in the laboratory and from the measured concentration of atropine the ingested total dose of atropine was estimated at up to 3 mg or more per person. In delirious states of unclear origin in young people, especially drug abusers, the possibility of intentional intoxication with atropine-containing plants should be considered. Intravenous physostigmine is the antidote of choice.