Three cases of Zigadenus (death camus) poisoning

Three cases are reported where 1/2-2 bulbs of Zigadenus were ingested. This resulted in vomiting, cramping and nausea, starting within 1-2 hours and lasting 4-5 hours. Both the heart rate and blood pressure were affected, generally, but not consistently, decreased. Atropine, when used for the cardiovascular effects, increased the heart rate, but had minimal action on the blood pressure. There was little toxic effect on respiration, central nervous system, or temperature. The one case of increased temperature was though to be due to an unrelated illness. Treatment of such cases should include emesis (or lavage, if emesis is contraindicated), activated charcoal, and saline cathartic. Symptomatic cases need an iv and possible administration of atropine, a sympathometic and/or a ganglionic blocking agent. Since there is considerable variation in what symptoms will be seen with the different species of Zigadenus, each case must be treated symptomatically; first with good supportive care, then possibly with administration of the above agents.