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The Elements of Murder
John Emsley
A History of Poison
Oxford University Press
September 2006
On Sale: September 14, 2006
432 pages
ISBN: 0192806009
EAN: 9780192806000
Paperback
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Non-Fiction
This book is about elements that kill. Mercury, arsenic,
antimony, lead, and thallium can be lethal, as many a
poisoner knew too well. Emsley explores the gruesome history
of these elements and those who have succumbed to them in a
fascinating narrative that weaves together stories of true
crime, enduring historical mysteries, tragic accidents, and
the science behind it all. The colourful cast includes
ancient alchemists, kings, leaders, a pope, several great
musicians, and a motley crew of murderers. Among the
intriguing accounts is that of the 17th century poet Sir
Thomas Overbury, who survived four attempts to poison him
with mercury but died when given the poison in enema form -
under whose direction remains uncertain. Here, too, is
detailed the celebrated case of Florence Maybrick, convicted
of poisoning her violent husband James with arsenic, but
widely believed at the time to be innocent. The question of
her guilt is still disputed. Threaded through the book
alongside the history is the growing understanding of
chemistry, and the effects of different chemical substances
on the human body. Thousands suffered the ill effects of
poisonous vapours from mercury, lead, and arsenic before the
dangers were realized. Hatters went mad because of mercury
poisoning, and hundreds of young girls working in factories
manufacturing wallpaper in the 19th century were poisoned by
the arsenic-based green pigments used for the leaves of the
popular floral designs. Even in the middle of the 20th
century, accidental mercury poisoning caused many deaths in
Minamata Bay, while leaded petrol poisoned the whole planet,
and arsenic still continues to poison millions is Asia.
Through vividly told stories of innocent blunders,
industrial accidents, poisoners of various hues - cold,
cunning, desperate - and deaths that remain a mystery,
Emsley here uncovers the dark side of the Periodic Table.
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