INTRODUCTION

The manchineel tree (Hippomane Mancinella) is reported to have got its name from the Spanish word ‘manzanella’ whose translation means ‘little apple’. The following article describes a unique case of manchineel poisoning in which a seemingly unknown side effect arose, bradyarrhythmia. Preliminary research showed no cases of ingestion of the manchineel fruit in which cardiovascular complications arose. Cases reported involved blistering, eye irritations, contact dermatitis, oral oedema and respiratory symptoms. The tree which is indigenous to the Caribbean, as well as the tropical Americas, grows to a height of approximately fifteen metres with shiny green leaves and small round green fruits (Fig. 1).