It’s a no-brainer that without modern medicine we would most likely not be where we are today. There would have been crazy epidemics, deaths all over, and so much more. And we have doctors and scientists to thank for that. But what about what’s on the other side? The side that was just as responsible for killing people as viruses and colds. Poisons.
Arsenic
Known historically as the “King of poisons”, it became very famous in the Roman and Renaissance era, where it was constantly used for assassinations. It is a naturally occurring, highly toxic substance found in soil, water, and minerals. The most common form in history is white arsenic. A colorless, odorless, and tasteless powder that was mixed in with food and beverages. Arsenic poisoning symptoms normally included vomiting, nausea, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and pins and needles feeling in your hands and feet. Although it was a good use to poison someone, now it is commonly used as a highly effective use for specific leukemia treatments! Just goes to show how not everything is as it seems.
Belladonna
This plant, more commonly known as deadly nightshade, still keeps its place as one of the most dangerous plants out there. It has a long history of murder, various medical, and even cosmetical roles in time. The most common use of it was unsurprisingly murder. The berries on the plant, although they look delicious, even a small amount of the sweets is enough to make you drop dead. But it was not just the berries, any part of the plant was toxic enough to lead you to a horrific end. Nightshade poisoning symptoms included, rapid heartbeat, dilated pupils, delirium, vomiting, hallucinations, and eventual death due to respiratory failure. Although it is still dangerous, it is now used in modern medicine to help as anticholinergic agents to block nerve muscle impulses. They are even used in eye drops to help dilate the pupils!
Hemlock
Hemlock has a famous history as a notorious and ancient poison, famously executing Socrates in 399 BC. Although it was not commonly used for normal murder as the others were, It was often used for state executions in Greece. The interesting thing about these plants is the fact that most poisonings occurred by accidentally ingesting them. This was because the plant was often mistaken for other plants, such as parsnip, parsley, or queen anne’s lace. Symptoms of hemlock can include things from vomiting to seizures or even respiratory failure. Unfortunately unlike the other two poisons, because of its harm and fatal ways it is not used in medicine today.
So although the chance of being poisoned is very low in this day and age, it is still important to take a look at these things, after all, it could end up saving your life.
