Question

Two farmers were brought dead, autopsy done revealed viscera that had the smell of bitter almonds. The most likely poisoning is due to that by?

• A. Organophosphorus
• B. Hydrocyanic acid
• C. Morphine
• D. Atropine

Hint:

A bitter almond smell on the viscera at autopsy is the classic sign of cyanide (hydrocyanic acid) poisoning.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The one clue given here, a bitter almond smell from the viscera, is meant to point directly at a single well known poison. Let's test each option against that smell.

1. Organophosphorus: These pesticides smell of garlic, not bitter almonds, and typically cause pinpoint pupils, drooling and muscle twitching, none of which is mentioned here.
2. Hydrocyanic acid: This is cyanide, and cyanide poisoning is the textbook cause of a bitter almond smell on the viscera. It blocks the last step of cellular respiration, so the body cannot use oxygen and death can follow quickly, which fits two farmers being found dead.
3. Morphine: Morphine overdose slows breathing and constricts the pupils, but leaves no characteristic smell on the body.
4. Atropine: Atropine causes dilated pupils, dry skin and confusion, again without any bitter almond odor.

The correct option is hydrocyanic acid, since the bitter almond smell is a specific and classic autopsy finding unique to cyanide poisoning among these four choices.

Let's summarize:

• Bitter almond odor on the viscera is the signature clue for cyanide poisoning.
• Organophosphorus, morphine and atropine each have their own distinct clinical picture, but none produces this particular smell.

So the poisoning here is most likely due to hydrocyanic acid.