rome and Poisoning

Article presents ancient tradition about poisoning with bull's blood and the modern attempts of its explanation. Greek and Roman literary sources are compared with the ancient medical texts.

Topics: Animals; Cattle; Greece; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Male; Poisoning; Poisons; Rome

The transfer of a chemical product from its original container to an unlabelled secondary container by consumers is a potential health hazard that may result in unintentional exposures and intoxications. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of prevalence of exposures to transferred products in Italy from year 2017, when the new European labelling regulation for chemicals became fully operative, to 2020, year of the coronavirus 19 disease first outbreak. Calls to the Poison Control Centre (PCC) of Policlinico Umberto I Hospital - Sapienza University of Rome were analysed retrospectively for characteristics, clinical presentation and circumstances related to the event. We registered 198 cases of interest. There was a reduction in cases from 2017 (4.9%) to 2019 (2.2%), followed by an increased prevalence in 2020 (4.2%) mainly due to the months "post-lockdown." The transferred product was very frequently diluted, and an empty drinking bottle was usually used as secondary container. Exposures were mostly of minor severity, and no deaths occurred. The study highlights the importance of PCCs data in the evaluation of the hazard communication to users through labels and advises for public campaigns to promote safe behaviours during future lockdowns to prevent exposures at a later period.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; COVID-19; Environmental Exposure; Female; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; Product Labeling; Product Packaging; Retrospective Studies; Rome

Topics: Antidotes; Greece, Ancient; History, Ancient; Humans; Opium; Poisoning; Rome

The Bible contains several interesting contributions to the history of neurology, as is the case of the High Priest Alkimos, who died suddenly in 159 BC. He was regarded as a stereotypical stroke victim for a long time. The reports on his death in the Septauginta and the later 'Jewish Antiquities' of Flavius Josephus present some typical symptoms of stroke (collapse, loss of speech and death within a short time), but they also describe severe pains, which are very unusual among patients with stroke. Similar symptoms can be found in the case of the Roman emperor Claudius, who was poisoned by his spouse Agrippina. It was thought that she used aconitine, an ingredient of the monkshood plant (Aconitum napellus L.), which imitates an apoplectic insult, but also causes vehement pains. It was therefore possible that something similar had happened to Alkimos, as aconitine was a common poison in ancient times and the surroundings of his death may confirm the suspicion. Reigning during a time of great upheaval, Alkimos was able to maintain his high office chiefly because of the help of the Seleucides. He has just begun construction work on the temple of Jerusalem, an order, which was regarded as a sacrilege by his foes. This impression was enhanced by his subsequent illness which could be considered as a divine punishment.

Topics: Aconitine; Bible; Famous Persons; History, Ancient; Humans; Israel; Male; Poisoning; Rome

From 1 January 1998 to 31 October 1999 the two Poison Control Centres active in Rome provided 923 telephone consultations for individuals and health care providers on suspected poisonings involving pesticides. Exposures more frequently reported in association with suspected cases were insecticides (n. 636), including organophosphates (n. 300), carbamates (n. 155), pyrethroids (n. 102), and organochlorines (n. 79). Children aged 1-4 years accounted for 22% of all suspected poisonings (n. 200). Each case was classified as to the likelihood of a relationship between the reported pesticide exposure and the occurrence of health effects. Around 18% of suspected pesticide poisonings (n. 168) were subsequently classified as definite, around 43% (n. 390) as possible, and around 37% were considered unlikely (n. 344).

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Italy; Middle Aged; Pesticides; Poison Control Centers; Poisoning; Referral and Consultation; Rome

Topics: Animals; Antidotes; Arabia; Blood; Cattle; Goats; Greece, Ancient; History, Ancient; Poisoning; Rome