Toxicologic disease of the digestive tract

Numerous toxic agents affect the digestive tract. These can be divided into those that have primary effects on the digestive tract and those that seco ndarily affect the digestive system. This article discusses only the most c ommonly encountered toxins with primary effects. These include a diverse nu mber of plants, toxins derived from insects, nonprotein nitrogen, heavy met als, and petroleum products. The toxins selected for discussion in this art icle also have secondary effects on other organ systems. These are highligh ted and, for each toxin, the clinical signs, toxic principle, lesions, and methods for diagnostic confirmation are addressed.