Systemic Effects and Medicolegal Aspects of Formic Acid Poisoning - An Autopsy Study.

Formic acid is easily available in open market, because of its wide use in the rubber industry for processing of latex. Because of the easy availability, case of accidental and suicidal poisoning by formic acid are on the rise and most of them end fatally. On reviewing the literature, only a few were found to be reported and studied in detail. MethodsThis study was carried out on seventy-five medicolegal cases, brought with history of formic acid poisoning which were brought for autopsy during the period February 2012 - July 2013. Bits of tissues from upper part of oesophagus, lesser curvature of stomach, lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas were collected. The tissues were processed, and slides were prepared. Microscopic study of each slide was done. ResultsMales (57.3%) outnumbered females and maximum number of cases was of age group 41-70 yrs. (72%). Most of the victims were taken to hospital for treatment and died after admission (85.3%). Laboratory investigations revealed that most of the cases (85.3%) showed impairment in renal function tests, evidence of haemolysis, and metabolic acidosis, corrosion of the upper part of alimentary tract, glottic oedema and brownish fluid in peritoneal cavity. ConclusionsIn Kerala the incidence of formic acid poisoning is on the rise, probably because of the easy availability of the acid to people engaged in rubber industry which is widely prevalent in this state. Ingestion of formic acid leads to a serious systemic and metabolic damage

Pattern of Injuries in Occupants of Vehicular Accidents - An Autopsy Study.

Road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. By the year2020, it is projected that road traffic accidents will become the second leading causeof death worldwide next to ischemic heart disease. Vehicular occupant is one who ison a vehicle. The pattern of injuries and the cause of death depends on the type ofoccupant.METHODSThis study was carried out on three hundred and fifty road traffic accident casesbrought for autopsy at the mortuary, Government Medical College Hospital,Thiruvananthapuram, during the period March 2012 - March 2013.RESULTSOf a total of 350 cases, motorcycles accounted for 75.8%, followed car (11.1%), autorickshaw (7.4%), cycle (2.6%), bus (2%) and lorry (1.1%). Among the 350 cases,346 of them (98.5%) had head injury. Upper and lower limbs sustained most of theexternal injuries in all cases.CONCLUSIONSStrict laws should be brought against drunken driving, rash driving, and drivingwithout helmets, seat belts, and using mobile phones while driving. Violation oftraffic rules must be viewed seriously