Abstract

Ingestion of plant material rarely manifest in clinical intoxication. This is due to the relatively low toxicity of most plants in Korea. But, veratrum is an important plant on account of its highly toxic alkaloids. Five cases of Veratrum grandiflonum mass poisoning are described. Clinical symptoms occurred quickly, within 30 min. Vomiting, a fall in blood pressure and bradycardia was observed. Treatments in the emergency department included gastric lavage, activated charcoal, and administration of atropine and dopamine for bradycardia and hypotension. Although one of them experienced profound hypotension, bradycardia and mental change, the outcomes were favorable in all cases, producing a complete cure without any sequellae at discharge.

• Keywords: Veratrum;Poisoning;Alkaloids;;