The conviction of Dr. Crippen: new forensic findings in a century-old murder.

Dr. Hawley Crippen was accused and convicted of murdering his wife in London in 1910. Key to the conviction was microscopic analysis of remains found in the Crippen's coal cellar, which were identified as Cora Crippen based on a scar she was said to have.

Ingestion of a newly described North American mushroom species from Michigan resulting in chronic renal failure: Cortinarius orellanosus.

Background: Some mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius are well known to cause acute and chronic renal failure. Until now, there have been no confirmed cases of renal failure due to the ingestion of a Cortinarius mushroom in North America. We describe a case of a woman who ingested mushrooms found under an oak tree in western Michigan and developed chronic renal failure.

Homicidal poisoning in the United States: an analysis of the Uniform Crime Reports from 1980 through 1989.

We performed analyses of data on 292 homicides by poisoning in the United States. The data from the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) 1980 through 1989, involved cases of one poisoned victim and one poisoning offender. Demographic factors analyzed for each victim and offender include age, gender, race, relationship of victim to offender, major category of poison, month, year, geographic location, and crime classification.

Mushroom poisoning in the United States--an analysis of 1989 United States Poison Center data.

An analysis of mushroom case exposures reported in 1989 to the American Association of Poison Control Centers "National Data Collection System" by poison centers in the United States was conducted to obtain a clearer view of mushroom poisoning epidemiology and outcome in the United States.

Mushroom toxicology resources utilized by certified regional poison centers in the United States.

A survey of certified regional poison centers in the United States was performed to determine sources of treatment information for mushroom intoxications, and extent of reporting of mushroom epidemiological data to a national mushroom case registry.

Lionfish string experiences of an inland poison center: a retrospective study of 23 cases.

From January 1979 through March 1988, our regional poison center, located many hundreds of miles from the nearest coastal salt water, documented 23 cases of envenomation by "Lionfish" (members of genus Pterois). All cases involved specimens which were maintained in the homes of amateur aquarists. A study of patient epidemiology showed the following: patient's sex 91.

Fatal pepper aspiration.

Eight patients (five previously undescribed) died due to aspiration of pepper. Seven deaths involved homicides, and one death was accidental in a child with documented pica. The pepper was administered by the mothers in three children and by a foster mother, the mother's boyfriend, an adult male friend, and the child's godfather in one case each.

Findings of ten years of clinical drug screening.

During the years from 1977 to 1986, 21,410 specimens were collected for clinical drug screening from 13,589 patients. The specimens included 9,530 blood samples, 9,184 urine samples and 2,717 samples of gastric contents. One or more drugs/drug metabolites were detected in 74% of the specimens.

A review of chemical eye burns referred to the Blodgett Regional Poison Center.

We reviewed a random sampling of 500 cases of chemical eye exposures referred to the Blodgett Regional Poison Center from July 1, 1986 to December 31, 1986. While some injuries were encountered in laboratories and industrial plants, the great majority originated in the home (84.4%) and involved commonly used household products.

An analysis of arsenic exposures referred to the Blodgett Regional Poison Center.

Fifty-seven cases of acute arsenic exposure were referred to Blodgett Regional Poison Center from January 1985 through December 1985. We will summarize epidemiologic aspects, laboratory values and the types of arsenicals involved. Cases predominantly involved children ingesting sodium arsenate in the form of ant poison.

Direct mail solicitation of contributions from poison center users--success or failure?

Funding problems seem to be an ever present obstacle for Regional Centers. To date, there has not been an effective solution for many, if not all, the centers. An often raised suggestion is the direct solicitation of the users of the services of the Poison Center.

Scorpion envenomation in Michigan: three cases of toxic encounters with poisonous stow-aways.

Three cases of Centrurid scorpionism are described from the State of Michigan, a geographic area where scorpions are not native to the normal fauna. A discussion of the incidents, signs and symptoms of the envenomations and treatment of the victims is given, along with a review of the toxicology of scorpion envenomation, methods of treatment and prevention.

Camphorated and castor oil confusion and its toxic results.

Three cases of camphorated oil ingestion occurring over a 20-month period are discussed. Two of the three ingestions resulted in hospitalization, and the clinical course of the ingestions are presented. Follow-up investigations were performed to determine the causes of the confusion between castor and camphorated oil.