D. Barceloux – Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances

Автор: D. Barceloux
Название книги: Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances
Формат: PDF
Жанр: Токсикология
Страницы: 1181
Качество: Изначально компьютерное, E-book

Interest and information in the field of medical toxicology has grown rapidly, but there has never been a concise, authoritative reference focused on the subjects of natural substances, chemical and physical toxins, drugs of abuse, and pharmaceutical overdoses. Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances finally gives you an easily accessible resource for vital toxicological information on foods, plants, and animals in key areas in the natural environment.

Men and women live in a miraculous world, surrounded
by natural beauty, diverse environmental conditions and
habitats, and evolutionary marvels. Within this intricate
assembly of fl ora and fauna, many plant and animals
have evolved that are more than passive inhabitants of
this planet. They are endowed with substances both
offensive and defensive, namely, potent toxins capable
of slowly poisoning or rapidly subduing very large
animals, including humans. In addition, modern man
utilizes plant and animal products and extracts for commercial,
medical, religious, and other purposes. These
exposures range from naturopathic cures to a casual
encounters with cactus spines during a wilderness expedition,
from a diver ’ s encounters with the needles of sea
urchins to covert politically motivated assassinations
utilizing ricin from castor beans. Wild mushroom foragers
grow old only if they are not too bold, while amateur
aquarists who reach into their saltwater tanks learn
about the toxicity under the cover of lionfi sh plumage.
We can never learn or know too much about how
best to deal with natural toxins, whether we seek to
eliminate them from our immediate food supply or treat
acutely intoxicated victims. Furthermore, from the
understanding of syndromes and therapies, we are
offered insights into their possible therapeutic value. No
matter what the ultimate fate of man, the seeds, spores,
fangs, and venom glands will survive. While the relationship
of toxins to humans may not be always be characterized
as symbiotic, there will remain a coexistence that
is predicted, yet always in part unpredictable.
The medical toxicology of natural substances is predicated
upon their existence, which will diminish as
humans continue to erode and consume their environment.
Until then, we should continue to catalogue,
record, evaluate, and teach. Medical practitioners and
toxicologists should accept the responsibility to perpetuate
these traditions because the wisdom of indigenous
shamans is being lost as rapidly as the rainforests in
which they reside.
What we do not seek to protect may soon disappear.
It is my fervent wish that this book not only serve as a
superb medical reference for those who seek to cure,
but that all who read it are inspired to preserve the
landscapes and seascapes that support the origination
of everything that is natural and sustainable upon this
Earth.

Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances: Foods, Fungi,
Medicinal Herbs, Plants, and Venomous Animals is
designed to provide in – depth, evidence – based coverage
of the most important natural toxins. This book is the
fi rst of a four volume series in Medical Toxicology, which
will include drugs of abuse and psychoactive plants,
occupational and environmental exposures, and pharmaceutical
overdoses. Scientifi c knowledge in the fi eld
of Medical Toxicology increased considerably since I
co – authored the First Edition of Medical Toxicology:
Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Poisoning with the
late Matthew J. Ellenhorn, published in 1988. That book
was designed as an authoritative, concise volume for the
immediate treatment of poisoning including natural
toxins, pharmaceutical agents, and occupational exposures.
In the last 20 years, suffi cient interest has developed
in natural toxins, food contamination, medicinal
herbs, chronic occupational exposures, and bioterrorism
to justify coverage of the fi eld of Medical Toxicology by
a book series rather than a single volume. Medical Toxicology
of Natural Substances: Foods, Fungi, Medicinal
Herbs, Plants, and Venomous Animals retains the consistent,
formatted style I developed for the First Edition
of Medical Toxicology: Diagnosis and Treatment of
Human Poisoning . Once the reader is familiar with the
templates used in my book series, the consistency of
the organization allows the reader quickly to locate the
appropriate information necessary for informed decisions
regarding the sources, effect, regulation, recognition,
and management of toxic exposures.
Conversions for length and temperature in metric
and imperial systems are provided to ease the use of this
book by an international readership, whereas the metric
system for mass and concentrations are retained to limit
any confusion about doses in the United States.
The following provides organizational details on the
material under the headings for each toxin:
History provides interesting historical facts involving
the use and recognized effects of the toxicity of natural
substances.
Identifying Characteristics and Botanical Descriptions
helps the reader identify the characteristics and geographic
distribution of the specifi c toxin (e.g., venomous
animal, toxic plant).
Exposure discusses the sources, uses, and regulation of
exposures to these toxins.
Principal Toxins identifi es the main toxins in the natural
substances and provides data on the chemistry, structure,
and physical properties of the toxin that are important
for the reader ’ s understanding of the clinical
response to the toxin. This part discusses the basic
science and the composition of the toxins along with
factors that affect the delivery of the toxin including
discussions of the venom apparatus and seasonal variation
in the locations of the toxins. Additionally, this part
covers the biochemical and pathophysiological basis for
the toxic responses.
Dose Response covers data on the lethality and clinical
effects of the toxin both in animals and in humans as
well as factors that affect the potency of the toxin. The
emphasis is on dose – related effects, but important
adverse and idiosyncratic reactions are also discussed.
Toxicokinetics discusses the disposition of the principal
toxins in the body including the distribution, absorption,
and elimination of the principal toxins. The emphasis is
on human data, but animal data may be included when
human data are sparse
Clinical Response provides data on the clinical features
of poisoning following exposure to the toxin including
the onset, duration, and type of clinical effects.
Diagnostic Testing covers information important to the
interpretation of the clinical signifi cance of the laboratory
data. This section includes current laboratory
methods to determine the presence of the toxin, effects
of storage, biomarkers of exposure in blood, urine, and
postmortem material, and the laboratory abnormalities
detected by imaging studies and ancillary tests.
Treatment provides details on current methods to treat
the poisoning including information important for fi rst
responders, life – threatening problems associated with
the poisoning, the use of antidotes, and measures of
supportive care.
Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances: Foods, Fungi,
Medicinal Herbs, Plants, and Venomous Animals focuses
on scientifi cally validated facts about specifi c toxins
based on clinical experience and the medical literature.
References are documented to validate the statements
and to provide sources for further inquiry. The interdisciplinary,
evidence – based approach is designed to reach
beyond clinical settings to increase the scientifi c understanding
of those in associated fi elds (analytical laboratories,
universities, regulatory agencies, coroner ’ s offi ces)
involved with decisions regarding toxic exposures.
My hope is that increased scientifi c communication
between the fi elds aligned with Medical Toxicology will
inspire more inquiry into the pathophysiology, clinical
effects, biomarkers, treatment, and prevention of toxic
exposures.
Donald G. Barceloux, MD