[Peroral poisoning with isocyanate and methylenechloride]

Despite worldwide use of organic isocyanates and methylene chloride, little is known of oral intoxication with these substances in human beings. Two suicide attempts and their subsequent clinical course are reported. Coma, shock, relative bradycardia, leukocytosis and metabolic acidosis were ascribed to the effect of methylene chloride. The causes of the necrosis in the gastro-intestinal tract (as demonstrated endoscopically and histologically) of hemolysis and of intravascular clotting are discussed. The prognosis is good after survival of the acute phase. Untoward reactions in cases of pregnancy have not been observed.