Poison Mysteries in History, Romance and Crime

Résumé : Poisons, those silent insidious weapons for destroying human life, have ever had a peculiar fascination for mankind. They have played so large a part in history, in romance, as well as in crime, that the subject is one which claimes the attention of every student of human nature. This volume is the most remarkable and complete collection of poison lore ever assembled. Beginning with the poisons of ancient races, it gives curious, authentic accounts of royal and historic poison cases in England, Scotland, France and Italy, with especially colorful revelations from the notorious and sinister school of the Borgias. Graphically it treats of poison plots, of love philtres and mediaeval superstitions, of poisons in warfare, of the devious ways employed by secret poisoners. Most interesting from a psychological point of view is the second section of the book containing a study of the more famous poison trials of the past hundred years.