Scatter Brained

ARSENIC (AS) THROUGH 
HISTORY
Arsenic has many uses, the most 
popular of which, historically, 
have  been  suicide,  fratricide, 
matricide, regicide—and just 
plain old murder. Also known as 
“the king of poisons” (or “the 
poison of kings”), it kills quickly, 
discreetly, and untraceably, 
making  it  the  most  popular 
choice for upper-crust grudge 
holders and inheritance seekers 
since the Greeks discovered 
hemlock. (One famous victim is 
Napoléon, thought to have been 
fed arsenic by one of his entou-
rage.) It’s no longer possible to 
play off such deaths as acciden-
tal, though. In 1836, chemist 
James Marsh perfected an effec-
tive test for arsenic poisoning.