Toxicology
Toxicology studies harmful substances, their mechanisms of action, dangerous doses and antidotes. In The Apothecary Diaries it is everywhere: lead-based face powder, mercury, aconite, pufferfish, mushrooms. Maomao excels at it to the point of testing poisons on herself.
Entries in this discipline
Aconite
In The Apothecary Diaries, aconite poisons even through honey. We explain aconitine, its action on nerves, and why it shows no mercy.
Amaryllis
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao mentions amaryllis bulbs: toxic raw, edible after soaking, but always a digestive risk.
Datura
In The Apothecary Diaries, datura is used to induce sleep and feign death. We explain its alkaloids, its toxicity, and its role in the history of anesthesia.
Elixirs of Immortality
Several Chinese emperors were killed by elixirs meant to make them immortal. Waidan alchemy, cinnabar, mercury, and arsenic explained.
Frog Skin
Frog skin is both a respiratory organ and a chemical arsenal. Protective mucus, bufotoxins, batrachotoxin, and chan su in traditional medicine.
Fugu and Tetrodotoxin
In The Apothecary Diaries, Maomao loves fugu and its poison. We explain tetrodotoxin, how it paralyzes, and why there's no antidote.
Fungal Bioluminescence
In The Apothecary Diaries, a glowing mushroom is mistaken for a chanterelle. We explain fungal bioluminescence and this dangerous mix-up.
Induced Vomiting
Making someone vomit to clear a poison: an old intuition that modern medicine has largely abandoned. Risks, contraindications, the history of ipecac.
Lead White Makeup
In The Apothecary Diaries, white makeup kills courtesans. We explain why this ceruse-based cosmetic caused deadly lead poisoning.
Mercury
In The Apothecary Diaries, quicksilver goes into a court poison. We explain mercury, its toxicity, and the immortality elixirs that killed emperors.
Nicotine and Tobacco
In The Apothecary Diaries, macerated tobacco serves as a poison. We explain nicotine, its acute toxicity, and why diluting a poison can make it worse.
Orpiment and Arsenic
In The Apothecary Diaries, a yellow pigment poisons slowly. We explain orpiment, arsenic, and the chronic poisoning of court painters.
Rhododendron and Mad Honey
In The Apothecary Diaries, a tainted honey and a burned plant cause poisoning. We explain rhododendron's grayanotoxins and the famous mad honey.
Saxitoxin and Toxic Shellfish
In The Apothecary Diaries, unknown seaweed sends a bureaucrat into a coma. We explain saxitoxin, red tides, and why some shellfish can kill.
Sensory Detection of Poison
Maomao inspects the soup by sight and smell. We explain the food-taster method, how silver tarnishes, and why arsenic went undetected.