It is very important to exclude non-toxicological causes of all the syndromes, however these will not be discussed in detail. The presence of scattered tablets about a confused or comatose patient may, in the absence of a suicide note or preceding threats, result from ataxic attempts to relieve a severe headache or treat some other illness. Beware!

Diagnosis of poisonings leading to:

• Unconsciousness
• Hallucinations/delirium
• Hypotension and Bradycardia
• Seizures
• Bradyarrhythmias
• Tachyarrhythmias
• The anticholinergic syndrome
• The sympathomimetic syndrome
• Acidosis
• Multiorgan failure

Diagnosis of poisoning by an unknown:

• Plant
• Snake
• Spider
• Industrial exposure
• Pesticide/herbicide