A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MURDER
TRIGGER-WARNING: Vivid descriptions of death and dead bodies.
Poisons: one of the most subtle ways to kill, though often with a violent result. I've compiled a list of nine poisons that are perfect to use in stories from most to least toxic, and I'll tell you symptoms, Lethality and Forms, along with a fun (or rather dark) fact about them. Poisoning is one of the oldest methods of murder, used throughout history exactly for its subtlety and effectiveness. Because it's so easy to carry (most, at least. Especially when distilled) and isn't bulky like a knife, this was the way to go. Why do you think emperors and kings & queens had people to try their food before them?
Some poisons are so undetectable that they don't even show up in autopsies. Below is a guide on several poisons, their characteristics, and their effects on the human body. This knowledge is intended for fictional purposes only, and it's important to remember that discussing or attempting to use these substances in real life is illegal and extremely dangerous. Here's Poison: a writer's guide to murder.
List of Poisons from Most to Least Toxic
Botulinum Toxin Toxicity: Incredibly potent, with a lethal dose (LD50) estimated at around 1-2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight when injected, making it the most toxic substance known to science.
Ricin (from Castor Seeds) Toxicity: One of the most potent natural poisons. A dose of 0.035 milligrams (4 seeds) can kill an adult. Extremely lethal even in tiny amounts.
Aconite (Aconitum spp.) Toxicity: Highly toxic with a lethal dose of 3-6 milligrams of aconitine. Immediate death in high doses.
Strychnine Toxicity: Extremely toxic, with a lethal dose of 100 milligrams causing death within 15-30 minutes.
Cyanide Toxicity: Highly lethal, with 200-300 milligrams causing almost immediate death.
Thallium Toxicity: Extremely toxic, with a lethal dose of 20-50 milligrams causing rapid death.
Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) Toxicity: Very toxic, with 10-20 chewed berries causing immediate death due to atropine poisoning.
Arsenic Toxicity: Highly toxic, with a lethal dose of 300-500 milligrams causing death within a few hours.
Quinine Toxicity: Toxic in high doses, with 8-10 grams causing rapid death within hours. Less toxic than the others listed above.
The Poisons
Botulinum Toxin
Also known as 'Botox' in its diluted form for medical and cosmetic use, Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and is the most potent toxin known.
Symptoms: Muscle weakness, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory failure. Paralysis starts in the muscles of the face and then spreads to the limbs, and finally the respiratory muscles.
Lethality: Incredibly potent, with a lethal dose estimated at around 1-2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight when injected. Even minuscule amounts can cause death through respiratory paralysis.
Slower Kill: Exposure to lower doses can lead to progressive paralysis and death over several days if left untreated.
Instant Kill: Higher doses can cause rapid onset of paralysis and death within hours due to respiratory failure.
Forms:
Bacterial Culture: The natural form, found in improperly canned or preserved foods, where the bacteria can grow and produce the toxin.
Powder: Purified toxin used for research and therapeutic purposes.
Solution: Diluted form used in medical and cosmetic applications.
Survival Mechanism:
Early administration of antitoxins and supportive care, including mechanical ventilation, can improve survival chances by neutralizing the toxin and supporting respiratory function until the toxin wears off.
Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Also known as 'deadly nightshade,' this plant contains toxic alkaloids, particularly in the berries and roots.
Symptoms: Hallucinations, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, dry mouth, and difficulty swallowing and speaking.
Lethality: If the berries are swallowed whole, they may pass through the digestive system harmlessly. However, if chewed, the seeds release atropine, which can be lethal.
Slower Kill: Approximately 2-5 berries can cause severe symptoms and potentially death within a few hours to days, depending on the victim's size and health.
Instant Kill: Consuming 10-20 berries, especially if chewed, can cause immediate and fatal atropine poisoning.
Forms:
Berries: The most common and recognizable form.
Leaves: Can be used to brew a toxic tea.
Roots: Contain higher concentrations of toxic alkaloids.
Extracts/Tinctures: Available as liquid extracts for more controlled dosing.
Survival Mechanism: Victims may survive if the berries are not chewed and pass through the digestive system intact.
Aconite (Aconitum spp.)
Also known as monkshood or wolfsbane, this plant has highly toxic alkaloids.
Symptoms: Tingling, numbness, and burning in the mouth, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and muscular weakness. Severe poisoning results in cardiac arrhythmias, paralysis, and death.
Lethality: Extremely toxic, even small amounts can cause immediate death. It does not easily show up in autopsies, making it a preferred poison for discreet murders.
Slower Kill: Ingesting 1-2 milligrams of aconitine can result in severe symptoms leading to death over several hours.
Instant Kill: A dose of 3-6 milligrams of aconitine can cause rapid cardiac arrest and death within minutes.
Forms:
Roots/Tubers: The primary source of aconitine.
Leaves and Flowers: Less toxic but still dangerous.
Powder: Ground roots or leaves.
Extracts/Tinctures: Liquid form for use in herbal medicine, easily misused.
Detection: The sharp, burning taste of the plant may alert the victim, but once ingested, it acts swiftly.
Quinine
An alkaloid derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, historically used to treat malaria.
Symptoms: In high doses, it can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, deafness, blindness (retinal intoxication), and death.
Lethality: Requires a higher dose to be lethal compared to other poisons. Death is not immediate, making it less suitable for quick murders.
Slower Kill: A dose of 2-3 grams can lead to severe symptoms and potential death over several hours to a day.
Instant Kill: Ingesting 8-10 grams can cause rapid onset of toxic symptoms and death within hours.
Forms:
Tablets/Pills: Used for medicinal purposes.
Powder: Used in the preparation of medicinal drinks.
Tonic Water: Contains small amounts of quinine for flavoring.
Usage: Historically used to treat malaria and for unregulated home abortions, with dangerous consequences.
Ricin (from Castor Seeds)
Ricin is a highly potent toxin derived from the castor bean plant.
Symptoms: Symptoms appear within hours and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, and organ failure leading to death.
Lethality: Extremely toxic, as little as 0.035 milligrams (the equivalent of 4 seeds) can kill an adult. Chewing the seeds releases ricin into the system.
Slower Kill: Ingesting 1-2 seeds, if chewed, can cause symptoms leading to death over several days.
Instant Kill: Consuming 4-8 chewed seeds can release enough ricin to cause death within hours.
Forms:
Seeds: Castor beans, where ricin is naturally found.
Powder: Purified ricin extracted from seeds.
Solution: Ricin dissolved in liquid, typically for injection or spraying.
Detection: Ricin can be detected in the body, but it acts quickly and efficiently.
Strychnine
An alkaloid used as a pesticide, derived from the seeds of the Strychnos nux-vomica tree.
Symptoms: Rapid onset of muscle contractions, spasms, nausea, vomiting, and severe convulsions leading to asphyxiation.
Lethality: Extremely lethal, with death occurring within 30 minutes of ingestion.
Slower Kill: Ingesting 30-50 milligrams can cause severe symptoms and death within hours.
Instant Kill: A dose of 100 milligrams or more can cause rapid convulsions and death within 15-30 minutes.
Forms:
Crystalline Powder: The most common form, easily mixed with food or drink.
Tablets/Pills: Previously used in medicine, now primarily in pesticides.
Liquid: Dissolved in solutions for pesticide use.
Usage: Can be administered through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption, making it versatile and dangerous.
Cyanide
A fast-acting poison that can be found in certain plants, such as bitter almonds, and produced synthetically.
Symptoms: Symptoms include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, seizures, and cardiac arrest.
Lethality: Highly lethal, death can occur within minutes of ingestion.
Slower Kill: A dose of 100-200 milligrams can cause symptoms leading to death over several minutes to an hour.
Instant Kill: Ingesting 200-300 milligrams can result in almost immediate respiratory failure and death within minutes.
Forms:
Hydrogen Cyanide (Gas): Used in industrial applications.
Sodium Cyanide and Potassium Cyanide (Powders): Used in mining and electroplating.
Capsules: Historically used in espionage for quick suicide.
Arsenic
A naturally occurring metalloid found in minerals and used in pesticides and insecticides.
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea. Chronic exposure leads to skin changes, organ failure, and death.
Lethality: Can be lethal in both acute and chronic doses. Historically known as the "poison of kings" due to its undetectable nature before modern forensics.
Slower Kill: Ingesting 70-200 milligrams can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and death over several hours to days.
Instant Kill: A dose of 300-500 milligrams can cause rapid multi-organ failure and death within a few hours.
Forms:
Powder (Arsenic Trioxide): Historically used in rat poison.
Solution: Dissolved in water for easy administration.
Pigments: Found in certain historical green pigments (e.g., Paris Green).
Thallium
A heavy metal used in rodenticides and insecticides.
Symptoms: Hair loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe neurological damage.
Lethality: Extremely toxic, even in small doses. Symptoms progress slowly, making it hard to detect the source.
Slower Kill: Ingesting 8-12 milligrams can cause progressive symptoms leading to death over several days.
Instant Kill: A dose of 20-50 milligrams can cause rapid and fatal neurological and organ damage within hours to a day.
Forms:
Powder: Thallium sulfate used in rodenticides.
Salts: Various thallium salts, highly soluble in water.
Solutions: Dissolved forms for use in industrial applications.
Jake Zuurbier, born in 2002, is a writer with a broad background. With a degree in both Business and Management, his work in writing is combined with a business in books & home decor, sports clothing & gear and multiple forms of other output like music or meditations. He has worked jobs in retail and horeca, ranging from working kitchen in a hotel-restaurant to a floor manager position in a clothing store.
In his free time, he is just as occupied. Photography, weight lifting, kickboxing, cooking and reading are amongst his hobbies.
To learn more, or get in contact, visit www.apolloimperium.com/jakezuurbier
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