Deaths due to poisoning are well known since ages in almost all parts of world. Though it is very difficult to obtain an absolute data on poisoning as many of the cases go unreported. Especially in this part of the state the most common method for committing suicide is pesticide (Organophosphorus) consumption due to its more use in the agricultural sector and orchards. It has been noticed that intentional use by young adults is much more prevalent. Poisoning is a medical emergency and cases if quickly rushed to hospitals have shown to decrease the mortalilty up to a certain extent. An attempt has been made to find out some epidemiological factors of poisoning deaths that were referred to our department for autopsy.

The present study was done in the Department of Forensic Medicine, in Indira Gandhi Medical College Shimla, which is a premier institute for health services in the state. This study includes 130 cases of poisoning during the period of 1^st January 1998 to 31^stDecember 2002. In these most of the cases were referred from rural areas of the state. Autopsies of both hospitalized as well as non-hospitalized cases were conducted and their various epidemiological factors were analyzed.

In this study, total 958 autopsies were conducted from the year 1998 to 2002. Out of these there were 130 cases of poisoning i.e. (13.56%). The incidence of poisoning deaths has shown a variable steady increase from 9.37% in 1998 to 13.20% in 2002. (Table 1)

Young Adults in the age group of 21-25yrs were the most affected age group. In males 27 out of 81 (i.e. 33.66%) and in females 17 out 49 (i.e.34.69%) were affected. The males 81 (62.30%) were ahead of females 49 (37.49%) in this study. Male is to female ratio was 1.65:1. The youngest to commit suicide by consumption of organophosphorus was 12 years old male and oldest was 65 years old male. (Table 2)

Out of total 130 cases 86 (66.15%) were admitted to the hospital and could get first aid or specialized treatment; however 44 (33.85%) could not get the treatment who either died on way to the hospital or were found already dead. Out of those which were hospitalized 43.84% died with in 24 hours. (Table 3).

Suicide was most common mode of poisoning 86.92% (Table 4).

Of all the castes, Rajputs (32.30%) followed by Schedule castes (28.46%) were commonest affected (Table 5).

The organophosphorus compounds were responsible for 61.53%, followed by Aluminum Phosphide 13%. Carbon monoxide 7.69% was contributing for maximum deaths due to accidental poisoning. (Table 6)

Deaths due to poisoning are on increasing trend in this part of the country. In hilly areas where fruit and vegetable growers are in abundance the use and availability of organophosphorus pesticides is very common. Similarly in lower belts of Himachal Pradesh Aluminum Phosphide is responsible for most no. of poisoning. Also there are no stringent measures to control the sale of poison.

Due to easy availability, comparatively painless death than other violent methods, also other reasons like failure in exams or love affairs, disturbed family life, torture by in-laws, increased sensitivity in young adults for scolding by peers or parents, suicidal deaths are more common in the age group between 15–30 years.

The colder hilly areas of the state has another factor for purely accidental poisoning that is Carbon-monoxide, which is prevalent in those families where coal is used as fuel for both cooking as well as heating rooms.

It is pertinent to mention here about occasional Dextropropoxyphene deaths due to over dosage in young drug addicts.

86.92% were suicidal deaths, which is very similar to the earlier studies (Sharma, Bajaj, Singh, Tandon and Harish).

Above all any kind of sudden death is detrimental to the family of the deceased, society and nation as well.

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