The acute toxicity of the fresh juice of the fruit of the plant Ecballium elatrium was evaluated in 3 animal species. The LD50 of the intraperitoneally Injected juice in mice, rats and rabbits were 902, 812 and 817 uI/kg body weight, respectively. Hematocrit values increased significantly [58 percent] when the juice was administered i. v. to rabbits. The major pathological changes In rabbits were pulmonary edema, hepatocyte swelling and dilation of the right ventricles. It Is concluded that the cause of death in animals Is probably due to asphyxia resulting from extensive pulmonary edema and intra alveolar hemorrhage