Lathyrism is a neurological disease of humans, caused by eating certain legumes of the genus Lathyrus. This is not a common disease that you hear about. The genus Lathyrus contains the grass pea. It is also called the Chickling vetch.
Like any legume it is a source of protein . There is a drawback with this protein. It contains a neurotoxin called beta ODAP. Its full name beta-N oxalyl diamino proponic acid. This disease is not prevalent in the United States but in India and Nepal Sadly it was described that this grass pea was given to Jews in the concentration camps during WW II.
The grass pea resembles the sweat pea. Do not confuse