Poison mysteries in history, romance and crime

Reproduced by kind permission of the proprietors of the Illustrated London News . [ Frontispiece. POISON MYSTERIES IN HISTORY, ROMANCE AND CRIME BY C. J. S. THOMPSON, M.B.E. Author of “The History and Romance of Alchemy and Pharmacy,” etc., etc. POPULAR EDITION LONDON: THE SCIENTIFIC PRESS, LTD. 28 & 29 SOUTHAMPTON STREET STRAND, W.C.2 1925 First Published, 1923 Popular Edition, 1925 TO SIR WILLIAM H. WILLCOX, K.C.I.E., C.B., C.M.G., M.D., F.R.C.P. Lond. As a slight appreciation of the eminent services he has rendered to Toxicology and Medicine. CONTENTS POISONS IN HISTORY AND ROMANCE CHAP. PAGE I Poisons used by Ancient and Primitive Races 15 Poisoned Weapons—Poisons employed by Primitive Peoples—Malay, African and Indian native Poisons—The Upas Poison—Ordeal Poisons. II Poisons used by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, Chinese, Persians, and Hindus in Ancient Times 26 A Babylonian Poison Goddess—Poisons in Mythology—Poisons in Ancient Egypt—The State Poison of the Greeks—The Death of Socrates. III Antidotes to Poison in Ancient Times 40 Poison Laws in Ancient Times—Antidotes and Alexipharmica—Theriaca and its History. IV Preventive Methods and Substances used against Poisons 49 Terra Sigillata—How it was Tested—Toad Stones—Unicorn’s Horn—Rhinoceros Horn and Assay Cups—Bezoar Stones. V Superstitions connected with Poisonous Plants 63 Mandrake—Aconite—Hellebore—Opium—Henbane. VI The Poison Lore of Toads and Spiders 84 Poison extracted from the Toad—How an Italian Doctor proved his knowledge of Medicine—A Mysterious Chinese Poison prepared from Toads—Venomous Spiders—A Romany Poison. VII Some Classical Poisons and their Histories 88 Arsenic—Mercury—Antimony. VIII Royal and Historic Poisoners 101 King John and Maud FitzWalter—The Abbot of Westminster poisoned—The murder of Sir Thomas Overbury—The Earl of Leicester and his Victims—Mysterious death of the son of Peter the Great—The Gaekwar of Baroda tried for attempt to poison Colonel Phayre. IX Poisons tried on Human Beings 109 Vivisection of Criminals—Poisons and Antidotes administered to Criminals—Brassavola and Fallopius—A Charlatan’s Challenge at Oxford—English Experimenters. X The Slow and Time Poisons of Mediæval Times 113 Early Records of “Slow” Poisons—Attempt to poison Queen Elizabeth—Death of Macchiavelli—Death of Elisabetta Sirani. XI The Italian School of Poisoners 120 The Venetian Poisoners—A Professional Poisoner’s Fees—The Poisoners of Rome—Toffana—La Spara. XII The Mystery of the Borgias 128 History of the Family—Pope Alexander VI—Cesare—Lucrezia—Preparing the Poison—Death of Alexander—Death of Cesare—The Borgia Poison.