A fatal error on the day of the new moon

doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7493.729

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Sadananda Naik (sadananda@consultant.com), cardiologist

Alva's Health Centre, Moodabidri, India

In India the day of the new moon (Amavasya) in the month of July is considered to be highly auspicious. Various ancient rituals are practised on that day, one of which is drinking a herbal concoction prepared from the bark of the tree Alstonia scholaris (dita bark, devil tree, pale mara) early in the morning on an empty stomach. The bark of this tree is collected fresh, well …