The number of people hospitalized due to food poisoning in Moscow in the last two days has exceeded 100. All victims experience the same symptoms characteristic of botulism.
Botulism It is an acute infectious disease caused by botulinum toxin. The toxin in the human body disrupts the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles. As a result, muscle weakness (paralysis) occurs in different parts of the body.
Most often, the toxin enters the body through food that is already contaminated. The main source of poisoning is home canned vegetables, mushrooms, meat, salted, smoked and dried fish, sausage and ham.
The toxin was first discovered in Germany in 1793 by German physician Justinus Kerner. Then a wave of epidemics of an unknown disease swept across the country. All patients had similar symptoms: severe muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing, and blurred vision. The doctor concluded that this condition was caused by a poisonous substance contained in stale sausage. The toxin was called “sausage poison” – botulus means “sausage” in Latin.
Kerner concluded that the toxin blocked signals from the nervous system, and after a series of experiments he suggested that the poison could be used as medicine in small doses. For example, with increased excitability of the nervous system. After a few more decades, botulinum toxin will begin to be actively used for medical and then cosmetic purposes. Botox, one of the botulinum toxin-based drugs, is now used everywhere.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
