Unraveling the Curious Demise of Napoleon Bonaparte

This chapter explores the different theories surrounding Napoleon Bonaparte's death, including poor health, poison, and murder. The concept of applying a genomic lens to toxicology is introduced to challenge assumptions about toxic compounds.

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

Challenging our assumptions on toxins

What’s more terrifying than the true life tales of bloodcurdling and breathstopping toxins? This Hallows' Eve we're taking a page from the history books to make sense of puzzling poisons of our past and present.

Dr. Kaylee Byers speaks with Toxicologist Dr. Kimberly Garrett as they connect the dots across the globe of some of the most notorious and subtle poisonings in history. From investigating the final words of a disgraced emperor, tragic fates of conquesting explorers, wisdom from whimsical alchemists and desperate Victorian candy maker ploys, they demystify the distinction between necessary warning labels to lifelines concocted with a drop of poison.

In these ghoulish stories, a healthy dose of information could be a lifesaver.

—

Highlights:

(08:46) - Origins of 'the dose Makes the poison', a sometimes right alchemist

(20:30) - A deathly candy maker on hallows eve

(23:28) - Toxins in the water, understanding PFAS

—

Learn-A-Long: https://bit.ly/47ub5Qo

—

Resources:

Was Napolean Poisoned? | American Museum of Natural History

A Visit to Longwood | Napoleon.org