Two cases of Gelsemium elegans Benth. poisoning

Abstract

A couple of spouse mistook the Gelsemium elegans Benth. collected in countryside for Mussaenda pubescens Ait. f. and suffered toxicity soon after ingestion. One went into respiratory failure necessitating intubation and the other developed dizziness. The morphological differences between Gelsemium elegans Benth. and Mussaenda pubescens Ait. f. may not be easily recognised by the general public. Close monitoring and respiratory support are the cornerstones of management.