On 10/12/07 20:38, in article ,
"Jeff Layman" wrote:

Stewart Robert Hinsley wrote:

You are absolutely correct, do you know that mushrooms can be taken
to the pharmacy for identification? Out of a whole basket, only one
type of mine was edible! The others could be eaten, with the
exception of one sounding like amoneta? but they would taste awful,
so the pharmacist said. I will stick to buying them in the shop I
think.

Amanita. That genus contains several deadly fungi, including the death
cap, fool's mushroom and destroying angel. Wikipedia claims that
Amanita accounts for 95% of deaths by mushroom poisoning.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanita

The problem with A. phalloides is that there are two toxins. The first acts
within a few hours, and will lead to vomiting. But by then the second toxin
will have been absorbed, and with that the effects don't show for around 24
hours. By that time it has already destroyed many liver cells. As if that
wasn't bad enough, it is excreted in the bile, and is reabsorbed further
down the gut. From there it goes back to the liver, and destroys more
cells. And so on. In the end, only a liver transplant could ensure
survival.

snip

Sounds rather like the overdosing on paracetamol? The patient appears to
recover and then the secondary effect kicks in? Very nasty indeed and not
to be toyed with.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove weeds from address)
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'