Poisonous Plant Death
A call was made to 911 stating from a male caller stating that he was the friend of a person who was unresponsive and having problems breathing. EMS was dispatched to a residence where they found a 43 year old male with slurred speech, severe abdominal and leg cramps and acute shortness of breath. His pulse was very weak – he was cyanotic (blue). EMS were unable to start an IV due to vessel collapse. He was transported to the emergency room at a local hospital where fluids were administered to improve blood pressure. Despite all efforts, the patient went into DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) and expired approximately nine hours after admission. The coroner’s office was contacted to respond to the ICU.
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Further investigation through interview with the subject’s friend revealed that he had ingested tea made from the seeds of the “wild cucumber” plant about three hours before becoming ill. According to the friend, he and the subject had read that this concoction would cause hallucinations. The friend said he had decided not to try the tea. Seeds from the subject’s house were obtained as well as the cup used for the tea.
Wild cucumber or Marah Oreganus is in the same family (cucurbitaceae) as cucumber, squash, pumpkin and melons. It is widely distributed on the west coast. The plant has long trailing vines with large ivy-shaped leaves. It is also known as the “old man in the ground” because of its large, fleshy root. The fruit is pale green with a prickly surface is extremely bitter tasting. The fruit appears in late June or early July and contains several large brown disk shaped seeds measuring ¾ inch. Its exact mechanism of action is unknown. Scientists have identified at least four alkaloid substances in the Marah seeds. A crude alkaloid-containing seed extract injected into mice resulted in lethargy and tremors followed by death within minutes due to cardiovascular or respiratory collapse.
It is very important that a careful scene investigation is completed if there is suspicion that substances such as this are ingested.
The Forensic Pathologist listed the cause of death being: Acute Saponic Glycoside Poisoning due to Ingestion of Wild Cucumber.
Those battling a respiratory arrest situation need to realize that time is not on their side. In fact, if left untreated within a minute or so, a patient whose breathing has ceased will enter into cardiac arrest. Within a few more minutes, they will begin to sustain irreversible brain damage. In order to prevent this, it is of the utmost importance that patients in respiratory arrest be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.