Ricin is much less dangerous if ingested, but it can still make you sick-profuse diarrhea leading to dehydration-which could potentially lead to circulatory collapse and death.

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Daytime temperatures in Kosovo, which can exceed 32C (90F), increase the possibility Ms Becker could suffer imminent circulatory collapse as she loses fluids which are not replaced through drinking.

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If ingested, it causes nausea, vomiting and internal bleeding of the stomach and intestines, followed by failure of the liver, spleen and kidneys, and death by collapse of the circulatory system.

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