The Infinite Monkey Cage Poison
Mar 6, 2024
Exploring historical poisonings with insights from a chemist and Agatha Christie fan. Discussing the ease of access to poisons, famous cases, and deadly garden plants. Delving into literary depictions of poisons in crime novels and the potency of cyanide. Analyzing thallium poisoning in Agatha Christie's 'The Pale Horse' and playful discussions on symbolic meanings of poison.
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Christie’s Real Lab Knowledge
- Agatha Christie used poisons accurately because she trained as a dispenser and knew dosing and combinations.
- Her lab experience made many fictional murders medically plausible and educational.
Germ Theory Shifted Toxic Medicine
- Germ theory let chemists target microbes and led to specific chemical treatments rather than humoral remedies.
- This shifted medicine from broad toxic concoctions to more targeted, sometimes arsenic-based, therapeutics.
Handle Arsenic Symptoms And Evidence
- Arsenic causes projectile vomiting within about 15 minutes and requires repeat dosing to be lethal.
- Clean up vomit and keep redosing were historically necessary steps for successful arsenic poisoning.