Poison series: The kings poison, the inheritance powder, the poison of kings: Arsenic

 

                

        "Another idea that turns out to be as stupid as it sounds is using arsenic as a pigment. Paris green, also known as emerald green, was popular in the 19th century."

            -Theodore Gray, The Elements, A visual exploration of every known atom in the universe. 

       

            *Cell block tango from the musical Chicago plays*

         Arsenic...We've probably all heard of it. And if you haven't..., Where have you been all this time? 

        One of the most common deaths in the Victorian area was arsenic. From both plain-ol'-poisoning to their wallpaper. 

  (Note: This picture is by our good old pal, Theodore Gray, the guy who wrote the passage at the beginning of this page) 

        Arsenic was used for wallpapers, carpets, and even children's toys. 

            Thought to be the reasoning behind Napolean's death, the dreary damp weather of Britain caused the poison particles to release into the air, leading to countless deaths, from infants rubbing up against the walls and floors to aristocrats dying from the arsenic in their dresses. 

              The color blamed for this? Paris Green.  The most popular color of the eighteen hundreds. As someone once said, "Great Britain was bathed in green." 

        Arsenic poisoning symptoms include (Feel free to skip this part, it's kinda gross): Red/swollen skin, wards or lessons, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythm, muscle cramps, and tingling of fingers and toes. Pretty gnarly stuff, if you ask me. Long-term Arsenic exposure has slightly different symptoms, including darkening skin, consistent sore throat, and persistent digestive problems. So, basically, just adding to the diseases you could get back in Britain's prime.  

        Poisoning was really common in Great Britain; one case was a lady who came in the inheritance of her teenage nephew's life insurance and her husband's life insurance. Instead of taking care of these two to make sure they don't die, she poisoned both men, her husband by filling his hot chocolate with arsenic, and the teen by filling his chocolate pudding with it. Not very nice, if I do say so myself!      

        Arsenic is still used today in blue fireworks, anti-pesticides, and rat poisons. It's definitely best to keep it out of reach of everyone. Don't use it. Except for fireworks. But don't eat or inhale fireworks.