Curare

Curare is used by Indians in South American as a arrow poison.  It originates from the rain forest and the sap is mainly used although the every part of this plant is poisonous.  The other parts of the plant are used by crushing and cooking them.  The name comes from the Indian word meaning ‘poison’. 

Toxic effects

The way curare works is by affecting neuromuscular transmissions.  It is basically a muscle relaxant.  It is used to hunt monkeys.  Using a gun will cause the monkeys (when hit) to stay holding onto the branch (even thought they are dead), so when curare is used they will fall out of the tree.

Symptoms

Once taken the effects are as follows:

1.    Paralysis (severe relaxation) which starts in the facial muscles.

2.    The muscles in the neck are next causing an inability to swallow or lift the head.

3.    Next the diaphragm, causing paralysis of the lungs.

4.    Death is cause by respiratory failure.

Lethal dose

It is suspected that the lethal dose of curare is 0.1 mg/kg.