TRADITHERAPY WITH OIL OF CADE: FROM MEDICAL CARE TO FATAL INTOXICATION

Abstract

Introduction: As a solution to health problems, traditional therapy is still used in Tunisia. One of these practices increasingly observed is parents and charlatans’ recourse to the use of oil of cade totreat children.
The aim of our work is to study the forensic aspects of traditional therapy in Tunisia through 3death resulting from the use of oil of cade, to explain the legal consequences of this phenomenonand promote health education and preventive measures.
Case reports: We collected 3 cases of intoxication by oil of cade, two boys and a girl whose socioeconomic level
was low. They all have rural origin.
The arguments for resorting to such conduct were the parental convictions of the effectiveness of these means against the failure of modern medical means in all 3 cases. Themean age was 14 months 8 days [1 month, 2 years].The mean interval of onset of symptoms related tothe intoxication was 14 hours on average after application of oil of cade. The reason for consultation waslinked to digestive symptoms in all three cases. A forensic autopsy was requested and performed in a single
case. Legislative measures have interestedall victims with a statement to the child protection delegate.
Conclusion: The intoxication of a child with oil of cade in unconventional care is aviolation of his physical integrity. Prevention occupiesan important place to face this phenomenonbased on the awareness of both parents and health staff to avoid complications which can be fatal.