What is "lathyrism"

n. A neurological disease of humans and domestic animals, caused by eating certain legumes of the genus ''Lathyrus'' and characterised by paralysis and emaciation.

Lathyrism or neurolathyrism is a neurological disease of humans and domestic animals, caused by eating certain legumes of the genus Lathyrus. This problem is mainly associated with Lathyrus sativus (also known as Grass pea, Kesari Dal, Khesari Dal or Almorta) and to a lesser degree with Lathyrus cicera, Lathyrus ochrus and Lathyrus clymenum containing the toxin ODAP.

The lathyrism resulting from the ingestion of Lathyrus odoratus seeds (sweet peas) is often referred to as odoratism or osteolathyrism, which is caused by a different toxin ( beta-aminopropionitrile) that affects the linking of collagen, a protein of connective tissues.