Mushroom Poisoning

 

From the earliest time mushrooms have been eaten by the people of many countries. The ancient Babylonians and early Romans employed them as a food and delicacy. For centuries they have been sold in the public markets of the larger cities of Europe and Asia. 

                                  

                                                First Record Of Mushroom Poisoning

The earliest recorded instance of mushroom poisoning is that which occurred in the family of the Greek poet Euripides (fifth century, B.C.). Euripides' wife, two sons and a daughter died from this cause.

 

 

 

The Greeks early associated fungi with toxins (e.g., the "evil ferment" postulated by Nicander) and attempted to devise remedies for those who had ingested poisonous mushrooms.

Hippocrates, the famed doctor for which the physician’s oath is named, discussed beneficial and poisonous mushrooms with his students at the Athenian Lyceum around 430 BC, and presented some ideas about how to treat patients with mushroom poisoning

 

 

 

 The Latin historian Pliny related that deaths from mushroom poisoning were not uncommon in ancient Rome, and mentioned the names of several prominent men, including a pope and two emperors, who lost their lives in that way. This period has been termed the "golden age of poisonings," and one wonders whether all these deaths were entirely accidental.

 

 

 Hindu Vedas and Mushrooms

 

 

 

 European History and Mushrooms

 

 

 

 Russian History

 

 

 Emily Dickinson and Poisonous Mushrooms

 

 

 

 Poisonous Mushrooms 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.G  Death Cap aka Amanita Phalloides

 

The name is possibly derived from Amanus (Ancient Greek: Ἁμανός), a mountain in Cilicia, or from Amantia, an ancient city in the transboundary region between Epirus or southern Illyria in antiquity.

 

 

 

 

 

Toxins: Amatoxins and Phallotoxins 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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