Lathyrism. Its aetiology and prevention.

Lathyrism is a crippling disease characterised
by paralysis of the leg muscles occurring mostly
in adults consuming large quantities of the seeds
of L-sativus or other lathyrus species over long
periodsl . In India, the disease occurs in
Central Provinces2, Rewa, Bhopa13, Bihar~, and
Uttar Praaesh5• The disease has also been
reported to occur in Spain, Algeria and occasionally
in certain parts of France and Italy
where lathyrus peas are consumed by the people.