Feature |
Lathyrism |
Epidemic Dropsy |
Cause |
Contamination of Toor (Arhar) dal with Khesari dal (Lathyrus sativus / grass pea) |
Contamination of Mustard oil (seeds) with Argemone seeds |
Toxic Substance |
Beta-oxalyl amino alanine (BOAA) from Lathyrus sativus |
Sanguinarine from Argemone seeds |
Symptoms |
Muscle weakness, paralysis, difficulty walking |
Swelling of the body, shortness of breath, edema |
Affected System |
Nervous system (especially lower limbs) |
Cardiovascular and respiratory systems |
Diagnosis |
History of consuming Lathyrus sativus |
History of mustard oil contamination |
Prevention |
Avoidance of Lathyrus sativus (khesari dal) in diet |
Avoidance of adulterated mustard oil |