Poisoning by Plant Cyanogens

Late last year a California visitor to Montreal was hospitalized with cyanide poisoning after treating himself to a package of apricot kernels. He survived. A week later it was reported that a 70-year-old Vermont retirement home resident had been arrested for attempting to poison other residents with home-made ricin. None succumbed. Poisons fascinate us. Fortunately, few indulge in unlawfully ending life by such means. But who has not heard of Lucretia Borgia and her arsenic? A dubious story, yes, but fictional crime fills bookshelves. Agatha Christie used poison in at least five of her many novels. As did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in two of his Sherlock Holms mysteries. And Rex Stout is to be credited with three, including Black Orchids. The very successful stage play Arsenic and Old Lace was turned into the equally successful movie filled with black humour starring Cary Grant.