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Report on Examination of Beads
Following the report in the Public Press towards the end of May 1972, that certain necklaces made from
beads were formed from seeds containing poison, the owners of the necklaces made from beads took them in
to Police Stations and to the Health Department for checking purposes.
The seeds found in the necklace examined in Bristol, which gave rise to the national publicity, were the fruit
of the Abrus precatorius vine found mainly in Africa, Asia and Mexico. Eighteen necklaces composed of
beads were handed in to the Health Department and all were examined by the Council's Public Analyst,
fifteen of which were found to contain one or more types of poisonous seed. Of the remainder, two were found
to contain non poisonous seeds and one of these has been returned to the owner. The second one has, at the
request of the owner, been destroyed. In the case of the last remaining necklace, because no authority has been
able to identify the seeds, a specimen has been sent to the Government Chemist in Nigeria to see if they can be
classified there.
All owners of necklaces handed in were advised of the result of the examination. Authorisation for
destruction of all those containing poisonous sees was received.
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