Toxicology: Semecarpus anacardium: practice question

A Forensic Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: Semecarpus anacardium

Sample item

A washerman develops severe vesicular dermatitis after handling the black juice of a marking nut. Which plant is responsible?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Semecarpus anacardium

The marking nut, Semecarpus anacardium, yields a black corrosive juice used to mark laundry, and it causes blistering dermatitis and gastroenteritis when ingested. Abrus, castor and croton act mainly as systemic or purgative poisons.

Option by option

  • A. Ricinus communis

    Ricinus communis seeds contain ricin.

  • B. Croton tiglium

    Croton tiglium seeds give a violent purgative oil.

  • C. Semecarpus anacardium (correct)

    Correct. The black vesicant juice of the marking nut is from Semecarpus.

  • D. Abrus precatorius

    Abrus precatorius seeds contain abrin and cause gastroenteritis and organ failure.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Semecarpus anacardium. The marking nut, Semecarpus anacardium, yields a black corrosive juice used to mark laundry, and it causes blistering dermatitis and gastroenteritis when ingested.

Why is "Ricinus communis" not the answer?

Ricinus communis seeds contain ricin.

Why is "Croton tiglium" not the answer?

Croton tiglium seeds give a violent purgative oil.

Why is "Abrus precatorius" not the answer?

Abrus precatorius seeds contain abrin and cause gastroenteritis and organ failure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: Semecarpus anacardium in Forensic Medicine. Abrus, castor and croton act mainly as systemic or purgative poisons.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Toxicology: Semecarpus anacardium?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.