ABSTRACT
In ancient literature, neurotoxic poisons have been classified into vegetable and animal origin. In the fifteenth century, a third group of synthetic poisons was also included. This classification is still useful. A large lumber of toxins result in diverse neurological manifestations. In tropical countries, high temperatures and humidity provide an ideal environment for the growth of both animals and plants, many of which have neurotoxic potential. There is regional distribution of several chemicals, metals, plants and animals which result in a variety of neruotoxic syndromes. A brief classification of toxins is given in Table 19.1. The animal toxins and industrial toxins have been discussed in separate chapters. In this chapter some important environmental toxins such as plants (lathyrism and Konzo) and metal (fluorosis, mercury, arsenic and manganese) are briefly discussed.
