The History of Arsenic as a Poison

Throughout history, arsenic has been a weapon of choice for murderers due to its odorless and tasteless nature. The podcast explores various historical cases of arsenic poisoning, including Martha Wise-Hazel, Amy Archer Gilligan, Mary Ann Cotton, and Julia Tofana. Arsenic was easily accessible and widely used, leading to accidental deaths and panic in society. The discovery of the Marsh test marked a turning point in arsenic detection and prosecution. Despite its association with female killers, arsenic's use extended beyond gender stereotypes and had implications in warfare and industrial applications.