Castor bean toxicity re-examined: a new perspective

Abstract

Commonly used references present a very gloomy prognosis for castor seed ingestion. This appears to be based chiefly on extrapolations from laboratory animal studies of toxicity of the component, ricin. This is not in concordance with actual experience when actual case report experience is sought out and examined in detail. The literature has been confused by recursive references among secondary sources and mortality statistics have been distorted by reliance on data generated nearly a century ago which do not accurately reflect the capabilities of modern medical management. This is elucidated by actually tracking down and studying difficult-to-find original case reports from the early decades of the 20th century. It is time to reappraise our estimates of the hazard of ingesting castor seeds in the light of present day medical capabilities.