Aspects of poisoning with traditional medicines in southern Africa

During 1981-1985, 1306 patients were admitted to Ga-Rankuwa Hospital due to acute poisoning. The major causes were paraffin (59.0%) and traditional medicines (15.8%). The mortality from paraffin was low (2.1%), but poisoning from traditional medicine resulted in a high mortality (15.2%) and accounted for 51.7% of all deaths. The traditional healer was the main source (83.4%), of traditional medicines, while 11.6% was bought from African medicine shops. The rest was acquired from other sources. In 82.5% of cases traditional medicines were taken orally, and in 10.5% of cases they were administered as an enema. Poisoning by traditional medicines was always accidental and probably due to overdosage. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were the most frequently encountered symptoms while the lungs, liver, and central nervous system were commonly affected. Treatment consisted of ventilation, intravenous fluids, and other palliative measures. A great deal of secrecy still surrounds traditional medicine, hampering rational therapy. Questioning of patients and interviews with traditional healers facilitated the identification of a number of major etiological agents. This elucidated the problem and should promote effective treatment.