A to Z Challenge: H (poisons & stories of their use)

Hemlock

Fast facts:
– Latin name is Conium maculatum
– Indigenous to Europe and North Africa
– Introduced to most other parts of the world
– All parts of the plant toxic
– Toxin causes paralysis and respiratory failure
– Can survive with artificial respiration for 48 to 72 hours
– 0.1mg can be fatal
– Used as poison since 400BC
– Famous for killing Greek philosopher Socrates

Hemlock (Conium maculatum) is rich in toxic alkaloids with all parts of the plant being poisonous. The toxin affects the central nervous system, reducing the ability of oxygen to reach vital organs, causing paralysis and death from respiratory failure. A fatal dose is as little as 0.1mg of hemlock (6 to 8 leaves). A person suffering from hemlock poison can’t move, but stays aware of their surroundings until death.

There is no antidote to hemlock poisoning, however, artificial respiration given until after the symptoms have worn off (approximately 48 to 72 hours) can prevent death.

Greek philosopher Socrates is the most famous hemlock poisoning death. After being found guilty of impiety he was sentenced to drink hemlock by his own hand. According to Plato’s “Phaedo,” he drank the poisoned drink then walked for a little while. He then noticed his legs felt heavy. He lay down and someone poked his legs. Socrates reported a lack of sensation and chill moving upward. Finally, the poison reached his heart and he died.

References:
https://www.murdermiletours.com/blog/deadly-poisons-used-by-murderers-serial-killers-despots
https://www.thoughtco.com/famous-poisoning-cases-4118225
https://listverse.com/2012/12/02/10-poisons-used-to-kill-people/
https://www.healthline.com/health/hemlock-poisoning
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conium_maculatum

24 comments on “A to Z Challenge: H (poisons & stories of their use)

  1. Giggling Fattie

    April 9, 2021 at 9:16 pm

    Wow – what a way to die? Drink poison and know that its poison?! Harsh!

    • It’s horrible isn’t it. And by all accounts he was pretty calm about it (I don’t think I would have been).

  2. Hemlock for “Ciguë” in French, ah yes, a powerful poison!

  3. Good one. Why is it that I know so many of these poisons? That frightens me.

    • Haha, Jacqui. You don’t have a secret life you haven’t mentioned? Or maybe it’s just that you enjoy reading crime books.

  4. Yup, I knew this story. I wonder why they chose hemlock for his sentence, though.

    The Multicolored Diary

    • That’s a good question, Zalka. I’m not sure but wonder if it might have been the fashion of the day?

  5. This plant looks familiar. I think we have this at the edge of a wood.
    What a terrible way to die. Then again, that’s probably what it feels like if you’re passing from MS or similar diseases.

    https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-z-2021-home-is-where-your-heart-is.html

    • It’s quite a pretty flower. I wonder how many people pick it for vases i their house? So long as they don’t eat any…

  6. Sad thing about Socrates…

  7. I knew Socrates had died due to hemlock poisoning, but didn’t realise he had to drink it himself – that must have been really hard to do. Also, interesting that he went for a walk afterwards.
    Great post.

    • I reckon it must have been very hard to force himself to drink it. I wonder what they would have done if he’d refused?

  8. Not a pleasant way to die.

  9. Love the fast facts design of the post. I can quickly grasp key points and interesting elements.

  10. A good, solid second place for old school murder mysteries. Lots of books with it as catalyst.

    • It sure is, BF. I think the fact it grew locally in Europe made it especially helpful as a plot device.

  11. I once started writing a mystery in which hemlock was the method, added to sauer kraut or something like that instead of caraway, if I remember correctly. I think I was in high school at the time, and I never finished the story, though! lol
    Black and White: I for Isles

  12. There was a TV play about Socrates’ death, done in modern dress, with a policeman who advises him to walk around a bit to make it quicker. He obliges.

    Rather sad, really, isn’t it?

    Greek Myths: I Is For Iphigenia

    https://suebursztynski.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-to-z-blogging-challenge-2021-i-is-for.html

Comments are closed.