injuries poisoning
Toxins as Mass Casualty Weapons
Ricin and Abrin
Ricin (from beans of the Castor beans and jequirity beans ) and abrin (from The clinical manifestations of ricin intoxication vary by route of exposure. Following inhalation, there is a latent period of 4 to 8 hours followed by cough, respiratory distress, and fever. Multiple organ systems are progressively affected over the next 12 to 24 hours, culminating in respiratory failure. Diagnosis is by clinical suspicion, no specific antidote or antitoxin is available, and treatment is supportive. 