Strychnine ( /ˈstrɪkniːn/; also /ˈstrɪknaɪn/ or /ˈstrɪknɪn/) is a highly toxic (LD50 = 0.16 mg/kg in rats, 1–2 mg/kg orally in humans), colorless crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents. Strychnine causes muscular convulsions and eventually death through asphyxia. The most common source is from the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree.
Read more about Strychnine: History, Biosynthesis, Toxicokinetics, Symptoms, Mechanism, Animal Toxicity, Human Toxicity, Treatment, Murder and Suicide Cases, Fiction
Famous quotes containing the word strychnine:
“They put arsenic in his meat
And stared aghast to watch him eat;
They poured strychnine in his cup
And shook to see him drink it up:”
—A.E. (Alfred Edward)