Arsenic: The Element of Surprise (and Murder)
Let’s dive into the sordid history of arsenic, the “King of Poisons” and the “Poison of Kings.” Our story begins in ancient times, when alchemists were busy trying to turn lead into gold. Little did they know, they were playing with fire – or rather, arsenic. These early mad scientists were probably the first to suffer from occupational hazards, giving a whole new meaning to “toxic workplace”.
Fast forward to the Middle Ages, where arsenic became the go-to method for solving pesky political problems. This period marked the beginning of arsenic’s dual reputation – both as a stimulant for some and a deadly poison for others. The Borgias, a family so infamous they make the Kardashians look like saints, allegedly used arsenic to climb the social ladder – one dead rival at a time. The use of arsenic as a poison was so widespread that it became practically synonymous with poison during this era. The discovery of the element arsenic is typically credited to the German scholastic Albertus Magnus around 1250.
But wait, there’s more! In the Victorian era, arsenic wasn’t just for murder anymore. Ladies used it to achieve that coveted “I’m-definitely-not-working-in-the-fields” pale complexion. Because nothing says beauty like slowly poisoning yourself. And let’s not forget the wallpaper! In the late 18th century, arsenic-laced pigments were all the rage in home decor. It was to die for – literally. Even Napoleon might have met his Waterloo thanks to some stylish green wallpaper.
But arsenic wasn’t done yet. In the early 20th century, it decided to rebrand itself as a miracle cure. Paul Ehrlich, not content with arsenic’s reputation as a killer, thought, “Hey, what if we use this to treat diseases?” And thus, arsenotherapy was born. For a while, arsenic was prescribed for everything from syphilis to cancer. Talk about fighting fire with fire!
Finally, arsenic made its debut in warfare. During World War II, the Germans developed an arsenic-based blistering agent called Lewisite. The British, not to be outdone, created an antidote called BAL (British Anti-Lewisite). It was like a high-stakes game of chemical chess.
So, there you have it – arsenic’s journey from ancient alchemists’ workshops to Victorian beauty routines, from papal politics to modern medicine. It’s been a wild ride for this toxic troublemaker. Just remember, the next time someone offers you a suspicious-looking green drink, maybe stick to water instead!
Arsenic Eaters
This next bit should have you questioning everything you thought you knew about health supplements! In the 19th century, while your great-great-grandparents were sipping chamomile tea, folks in Styria and Tyrol were knocking back arsenic like it was the elixir of life. That’s right, arsenic – the stuff of murder mysteries and rat poison – was their go-to pick-me-up!
These “arsenic eaters” weren’t suicidal; they were just looking for a little pep in their step. They’d suck on arsenic like it was a lollipop or sprinkle it on their bacon – because nothing says “balanced breakfast” like a dash of deadly poison, right? But wait, there’s more! This wasn’t just an Austrian fad. Down in the southern USA, “dippers” were getting their toxic fix too. It seems arsenic was the original energy drink, crossing cultural and continental boundaries.
Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the appeal?” Well, in tiny doses, arsenic apparently creates a warm, fuzzy feeling in your tummy – like a shot of whiskey, but with a side of potential death. It boosted appetite, energy, and even gave you that “healthy glow” everyone was after. Horse dealers even used it to make their nags look like champions! Ladies, forget your fancy creams and serums. In Austria, arsenic tartlets were the beauty secret du jour until the mid-20th century. Nothing says “belle of the ball” like a touch of toxin, eh?
But here’s the kicker – these arsenic aficionados built up a tolerance that would make Keith Richards jealous. While a mere 0.1g could kill the average Joe, these toxic troopers could handle four times that amount without breaking a sweat. However, like any good party trick, there was a catch. Stop cold turkey, and you’d be hit with withdrawal symptoms that’d make you wish for a good old-fashioned hangover. So, the next time you reach for that energy drink or vitamin supplement, just remember – at least it’s not arsenic! Unless you’re in a time machine headed for 19th century Austria, in which case, bottoms up!
Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of arsenic and its local names in certain regions:
In Styria and Tyrol, arsenic was known by the colorful dialect names “Hidrach” or “Hittrach”. These terms are actually derived from the German word “Hüttenrauch,” which literally translates to “hut smoke” or “metallurgical smoke”. This name paints a vivid picture of the arsenic’s origins. The term “Hüttenrauch” refers to the dust and gaseous byproducts created during metal smelting processes, particularly in blast furnace operations. These byproducts could be collected in special dust chambers or would condense into dust as the gases cooled.
Arsenic, in the form of arsenic trioxide (As2O3), was a notable component of this “Hüttenrauch”. It was produced as a byproduct in two main industrial processes, glass production and ore smelting. Historically, this “Hüttenrauch” or arsenic trioxide was collected in long, cooling channels designed to encourage its precipitation as a white powder. This substance had various industrial applications and, bizarrely, was also consumed by some locals in small quantities, leading to the phenomenon of “arsenic eaters”.
This local terminology and the widespread awareness of arsenic as an industrial byproduct highlight the complex relationship between industrial processes, local culture, and potentially dangerous substances in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Other notes (Wikipedia)
In very low doses of about 2 mg, the intake of arsenic creates a feeling of warmth in the stomach. The cause of this is the local irritation of the gastric mucosa, as can also be observed when alcohol is ingested.
Due to the increased appetite, arsenic eaters gain weight – a circumstance that fraudulent horse dealers used to use to give lean, emaciated horses a healthy, fiery appearance by giving small doses of arsenic. Especially the hair became nice and smooth and shiny. Ernst von Bibra writes in his 1855 book The Narcotic Stimulants and Man that horses in Vienna were regularly given arsenic, either mixed with the feed or by tying a cloth bag with the substance to the bit bar of the bridle. Horses that had to transport loads through the mountains were also given arsenic.
In addition to the performance-enhancing effect, the intake for cosmetic reasons also seems to have played a role at times. Von Bibra reports that arsenic was used for a healthy appearance. The weight gain associated with the intake probably corresponded to the beauty ideal of the 19th century – an effect that women in Austria also took advantage of and allegedly ate arsenic tartlets for this purpose until the first half of the 20th century. However, this cosmetic use seems to have been the exception. More mountain farmers and forest workers took arsenic as a kind of tonic to increase performance.
Habituation
Like nitrous oxide, lithium, bromine compounds or xenon, arsenic is one of the inorganic psychoactive substances. The habituation of arsenic eaters to the substance is remarkable. While normally just 0.1 g of arsenic ingested orally can be fatal, arsenic eaters accustomed to it can tolerate three to four times this amount without serious symptoms of poisoning. Even though the exact mechanism is not yet fully understood, it is not a true tolerance for arsenic. Rather, absorption via the stomach and intestines seems to be greatly reduced. Severe symptoms of poisoning have also been observed in arsenic eaters when a fraction of the orally tolerated amount was administered by injection.
The habituation to orally ingested arsenic may be one reason why the custom of eating arsenic could arise in the first place. Even in ancient times, the substance was a popular murder poison. In order to be at least somewhat armed against poisoning, people protected themselves at that time by slowly getting used to the various poisons. For example, the anecdote of Mithridates VI is well known, who had immunized himself against poisons to such an extent that the poison suicide did not succeed after his defeat against Pompey and he had himself stabbed. Presumably, the stimulating effect of arsenic was discovered for the first time through the slow increase in dose in such immunization trials.
The sudden discontinuation of arsenic leads to significant withdrawal symptoms, which manifest themselves in tiredness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
