Jimson weed food poisoning. An epidemic at Usangi rural government hospital.

Ten agitated and psychotic patients were admitted to Usangi hospital after having eaten stiff-porridge (Ugali) made from millet (Serena). This had been bought from the local regional branch of the National Milling Corporation (NMC). The patients had cardinal signs of atropine poisoning, viz., psychosis with hallucinations, tachycardia, fixed dilated pupils and a dry mouth. Toxicological analysis of the food samples revealed contamination with Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) seeds which contained an atropine-like alkaloid. On studying the records of the chief government chemist, it was found that a similar type of food poisoning had occurred in at least eight other regions. The clinical picture and management of this entirely preventable type of agricultural food poisoning are discussed.