This book has been developed over many years from several popular courses taught to students at both Birmingham and London universities. It provides an important step in introducing principles and concepts within the field of toxicology. The underlying mechanisms of toxicity are highlighted through examples taken from gases, minerals, plants, fungi, bacteria, marine creatures, industrial chemicals and pharmacological agents. In this second edition, the text has been completely revised and expanded with the addition of six new chapters - carbon monoxide, hydrofluoric acid, lead, mushroom, toxins, paracetamol, paraquat and diquat. Each chapter is self-sufficient, enabling readers to dip into chapters of interest at random without any lack of understanding. The book is informative, with numerous clinical details, and will appeal to those who wish to delve into this fascinating subject.

Introduction List of Contributors Aflatoxin 1 Botulinus Toxin 19 Domoic Acid 36 Ecstasy 60 Heroin 79 Hydrogen Sulphide 103 Mercury 120 Nerve Gases 139 Nicotine and the Tobacco alkaloids 163 Phosphorus 182 Radon 197 Ricin 214 Snake Toxins 227 Spider Toxins 243 Strychnine 259 Tetrodotoxin 276 Thallium 304 Index 313