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[Poisoning with toxic plants in Curacao in 1766]
A M Rutten1, L W Statius van Eps
1Vrije Universiteit, vakgroep Metamedica/sectie Geschiedenis der geneeskunde, Amsterdam.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|March 5, 1999
Summary
A 1766 poisoning attempt in Curaçao involved toxic plants, Calotropis procera and Pithecellobium unguis cati. These align with historical Arabic medical texts on poisons, highlighting ancient botanical knowledge.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany
- Medical History
- Toxicology
Context:
- Historical case of attempted poisoning in Curaçao, 1766.
- Documentation preserved in a letter to the West-Indian Company.
- Involves a supervisor, a practitioner (curador), and individuals accused of theft.
Purpose:
- To analyze the historical poisoning case using modern toxicological understanding.
- To identify the specific toxic plants involved in the 1766 incident.
- To connect the historical case with documented ancient botanical knowledge.
Summary:
- A supervisor in Curaçao was targeted with poisoning in 1766.
- The symptoms suggest a plant mixture including Calotropis procera and Pithecellobium unguis cati.
- This botanical combination matches descriptions from an 890 A.D. Arabic medical text by Wahshiya.
Impact:
- Provides insight into historical use of toxic plants in the Caribbean.
- Links colonial-era events with ancient medical and toxicological practices.
- Demonstrates the enduring knowledge of plant-based toxins across cultures and time.