Poison rings were accessories used in the medieval and Renaissance period, most famously in Europe and in China. They were designed to be worn on a finger and often features a bezel with a discrete compartment that contained a deadly liquid.
These rings were popular among elite members of society, such as rulers, and were meant to be used as a last resort in times of extreme danger—often as a method of suicide to avoid capture or torture.
The poison contained in the rings could have been derived from plants and animals, such as foxglove, hemlock, and toad venom. Some rings contained toxic mushrooms, poison extracted from dead bodies, and even concoctions from alchemists.
They were often used by royals, diplomats, and spies during the times of espionage, and although the poison contained in the rings often had a low dosage, over time the wearer of the ring would become poisoned without any suspicion from their enemies.
Just as the purpose of the poison rings has been debated for centuries, their origin is also unknown. Some believe they were invented as a status symbol and originally contained harmless liquids, that over time, were replaced with deadly toxins.
Whatever the origin, poison rings were popular among the affluent, and they were even featured on many official governmental seals of the time.
Why were poison rings invented?
Poison rings were invented as a tool for self-defense in an age before modern weapons. After the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, Europe was left in a state of chaos and violence, where swords, spears and axes were the only means of self-defense.
Poison rings emerged as an alternative means of discreetly protecting oneself from one’s enemies. It was generally easier to hide a small ring from potential attackers than it was to hide a blade or a spear.
Poison rings typically hid a chamber underneath the bezel, or outer portion of the ring, where a small amount of poison could be stored. Different types of poison were used in poison rings, depending on the type of ring and the country in which it was created.
It is likely that poisons derived from plants, animals and minerals were all used over the years. Because the bezel hid the presence of the poison, it was difficult to detect the presence of the poison by sight.
Poison rings were largely used by the wealthy and privileged, as they were an expensive and luxurious item.
Who ran the poison ring?
The Poison Ring, a gang of criminals operating in London in the 1890s and early 1900s, was run by a man named Alfred Draper. It is believed that Draper used his position as a clerk in a legal firm to access privileged information, which he then used to target wealthy families in London.
The gang ran a scam whereby members presented themselves as reputable businessmen, offering victims large investments and quickly siphoning off their money when they agreed. The gang would then attempt to extort even more money from their victims by threatening to reveal their fraudulent activities.
According to reports, the gang preyed mostly on members of the upper classes, and Draper had acquired a reputation for being particularly ambitious in targeting the wealthy. Under his leadership, the Poison Ring was successful in its criminal activity for a number of years, until it was eventually exposed.
In 1902, Draper was arrested and later sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in the gang’s activities.
What is a snuff ring?
A snuff ring is an ornate type of jewelry, typically featuring a ring of gold, silver or plated a metal surrounding a semi-precious stone, sometimes with intricate designs and patterns carved into the stone itself.
The purpose of a snuff ring is to hold snuff, a type of dominant, finely-ground tobacco which is sniffed rather than smoked. Snuff began its use by Europeans in the 16th century, where finely ground tobacco would be taken through the nostril to experience its stimulant and narcotic effects.
The act of sniffing snuff became so popular in upper-class circles, that ornate snuff hooks were crafted as a means of keeping said substance on one’s person – where it could be easily accessed for inhalation.
Of course, given the social prominence of snuff, any item associated with its use would be crafted with the utmost attention, resulting in the rise of the snuff rings. Crafted from gold, silver and other precious metals, snuff rings are often of very high quality and can feature ornate patterns and designs within or around the stone or metal.
Who became immune to poison?
In Greek mythology, several figures were said to have become immune to poison. Many of these figures were known to have accomplished heroic deeds with their newfound immunity.
The most famous story is that of Heracles, son of Zeus and Alcmene. Heracles was said to have accidentally been exposed to a toxic concoction of the gods, which resulted in the god’s granted him immunity to all poisons.
During his labors, Heracles relied on poison to fight his enemies.
Other figures who became immune to poison included the Greek gods Demeter, Dionysus, and Hades. Additionally, Hades was responsible for giving the gift of poison immunity to the goddess Asclepius, who was then able to use it to heal others.
One of the more obscure figures said to have become immune to poison was Achilles, the Greek hero. Achilles’ mother sought out a potion to make her son impervious to injury, including the risk of poisoning.
Overall, the most recognized figures to have become immune to poison were those from Greek mythology. Heracles, the gods Demeter, Dionysus, and Hades, and Achilles are the primary figures most associated with this ability.
How old are poison rings?
Poison rings originated in the 16th century and were popular among European aristocrats and the Spanish court, especially during the Renaissance era. Poison rings were designed to hold poison and other toxins in their secret compartments for discreet use in case of emergency.
The original concept of the poison ring was that it serve as a last line of defense in case of assassination. The rings were often produced with interchangeable capsules that held the poison of choice.
Over time the rings have become symbols of love, loyalty, and revenge, although they no longer hold functioning poisons. Today they are often used as jewelry or as a collectors item, with many of the original designs from centuries ago still in circulation.
Who tried to poison Daenerys locusts?
The person who attempted to poison Daenerys Targaryen with dried locusts was a servant girl who worked in the kitchens of King’s Landing. Her name was Moredo Pretarius, and she was a peasant from the countryside who had been hired to help cook for the royal court.
Moredo had become increasingly desperate after hearing reports of Daenerys’ reign in Meereen, and in a misguided attempt to liberate her people, she decided to try and poison the Dragon Queen.
Moredo chose to use the dried locusts, which she had heard about from an old herb woman. She had been told that powdering them and adding them to food or drink would produce a lethal potion. However, instead of targeting Daenerys directly, Moredo applied a small amount of the locusts on some of the food in the kitchen.
Fortunately, the poison was detected by the Unsullied, who then quickly arrested and interrogated her.
Moredo confessed her actions to Daenerys, but the Queen showed her mercy and did not have her executed. Instead, she gave Moredo a pardon and advised her to return to the countryside and live a better life.
Why did Dr Wiley set up the poison squad?
Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, chief of the Bureau of Chemistry of the United States Department of Agriculture, created the “Poison Squad” in 1902. He wanted to test the effects of processed foods and preservatives on human health, since there were concerns about potential health risks and food safety.
The Poison Squad was composed of 12 volunteers and was given chemicals such as formaldehyde, coloring agents, preservatives, and other substances known as “preservatives,” which were added to food at the time.
Dr. Wiley wanted to learn how these substances affected human health. The subjects would consume different combinations of the chemicals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for up to one year. The subjects would report their health results to Dr.
Wiley and his team; he used this data to try and combat the potential safety hazards of food products.
Through the Poison Squad, Dr. Wiley and his team were able to learn that some of these preservatives and chemicals were indeed very harmful to the human body. Thanks to the pioneering research of Dr.
Wiley and his team, the Food and Drug Administration was established in 1906 and regulations were put in place to ensure the safety of food products.
Who is poisoner?
A poisoner is a person who deliberately poisons or causes ill health in someone else by delivering toxic substances, often for nefarious reasons. The most common reason for poisoners to poison someone is because of revenge, greed, or other criminal reasons.
Poisoners have been known to deliver their toxins through food, water, and other substances. They can also be people working in laboratories or pharmaceutical companies, who deliberately use or dispense toxic or contaminated substances to their personnel or others.
In some cases, poisoners even ground up and administer various poisons in the form of drugs, tablets, capsules, or liquids.
Poisoning has been used to kill throughout history, with recorded instances in ancient Greece, Asia, and Egypt. In the United States, several high-profile cases of poisoning have taken place, including that of Chicago mobster Al Capone, who was convicted of poisoning seven people in 1927, and James T.
Johnson, a restaurant owner in California, who died in prison after being convicted of killing two people with strychnine poisoning in the 1980s.
In more recent times, poisoners have been known to use substances such as ricin and the nerve agent Novichok, for assassinations and attacks on victims. Ricin is a naturally-occurring poison found in castor beans and was used in 1978 in the assassination of Bulgarian dissenter Georgi Markov.
Novichok was developed during the Cold War by the Soviet Union and used to target ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in 2018.
What happens to silver in poison?
Silver, like many other metals, can be toxic or poisonous when ingested or inhaled in certain forms, such as silver dust or silver fumes. Chronic exposure to elemental silver, silver dust or silver compounds can lead to argyria, a condition in which the skin, mucous membranes, and/or eyes of an individual turn a bluish or grayish-black color.
It is important to note, however, that when ingested silver is not acutely toxic and mere skin exposure should not be of great concern. Furthermore, ingesting trace amounts of silver particles and silver compounds from food products (e.
g. fish) and supplements (e. g. colloidal silver) is considered safe and is not known to cause any acute or chronic health effects. The main concern with silver relates to occupational exposure and the use of silver medicine.
Workers in industries that involve silver dust generation or processing (e. g. mining, photography, silver manufacturing) can be exposed to dust, vapor, or fumes that contain silver. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for silver metal or silver dust of 0.
1mg/m3 averaged over an 8-hour shift. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a maximum containment level (MCL) in drinking water of 0. 10 ppm (parts per million).
When used as a medical treatment or as a supplement, silver can be toxic depending on the route and degree of exposure. According to Health Canada, “silver compounds, such as silver sulfadiazine cream, can be used as a topical treatment for infections and in wound dressings.
Silver has also been used in traditional medicines and in some nutritional supplements, but should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional. ” Ultimately, the degree of toxicity from silver poison will depend on the mode of exposure, the amount, and the form of the silver compound involved.
Where did the poison ring come from?
The poison ring is said to have first appeared in the 15th century, although its exact origins remain a mystery. It is believed to have originated from Europe, as the practice of wearing poison rings to carry and discretely administer a fatal dose of poison was popular among noble families from this region.
Typically, the rings were made of gold or silver with a secret compartment designed to hold a quantity of poison within the bezel, for which the owner could access and use during moments of danger. Additionally, some believed that placing the bezel of the ring against the lips of others could be sufficient to transfer a fatal amount of poison.
While not all rings were actually used to administer poison, they became associated with a dark and dangerous symbolism, thus creating their sinister reputation.
Why is poison depicted purple?
The association of poison with the color purple has been around for centuries. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods, the color purple was used to indicate a dangerous and potentially deadly substance.
Even in natural sources, the color purple often symbolized something that was to be avoided. For example, poisonous plants such as belladonna and hemlock flowers were identified by their purple color.
According to some sources, purple was also associated with death, as corpses were often laid on purple cloth.
Behind this association is the fact that very few plants naturally have purple flowers. Of those few plants, most are toxic or otherwise dangerous. This means that when people encountered purple colorings in nature, they associated it with potential danger.
As a result, the association of poison with the color purple was reinforced over the centuries.
Today, the color purple still symbolizes poison, danger, and death. It is used to warn people away from dangerous substances and can be seen on signs, labels, and containers. It has become an international symbol of poison and its dangerous effects, making it an important tool in the effort to keep people safe.
Why did they make poison bottles?
Poison bottles were originally created for containing and dispensing potentially dangerous and toxic substances, primarily for medicinal use. In the past, poisons were used for a variety of purposes, from treating illnesses to killing pests.
Since these substances could be potent and potentially dangerous if used incorrectly, the need for containers and dispensers arose to ensure safety during preparation and storage. Initially, bottles were made of thick glass and had a narrow neck to facilitate pouring out doses; they were usually sealed with a stopper or cork.
Over time, different materials, sizes, and designs were developed to better meet the needs of specific uses and applications. Today, in addition to their widespread medical use, poison bottles are also used for storing household chemicals, and in laboratories and specialised industrial applications.
What were blue poison bottles used for?
Blue poison bottles were used in the 16th and 17th centuries to store and transport poisonous substances. At the time, there wasn’t much in the way of chemical knowledge, so blue glass was commonly used to store certain poisons, as it was believed that blue glass could prevent light from getting in and destroying the properties of the poison.
These bottles were typically used by apothecaries and chemists to store some of the poisons they needed for their profession, from things like arsenic to mercury. Blue and green glass were also widely used to bottle drinks and medicines meant to be ingested, with different combinations of color, shape, and thickness indicating the use of the bottle.
By the early 20th century, safety regulations had been introduced, phaseing out the use of colored glass for storing poisons. While many of these bottles have survived to this day, it is not recommended to pour their contents out and consume the liquid, as there is no way to establish how long the bottles were exposed to light and other environmental conditions, which can all lead to a deterioration of their contents.
How does poison work in Elden ring?
At this time, it is not known specifically how poison will work in Elden Ring. We do know that one of the staples of the Soulslike genre, of which Elden Ring is a part, is the creative use of various weapons and consumable items.
As such, the expectation is that poison will have a unique, intriguing effect on enemies that players may encounter in the game.
It’s very possible that poison will be used as an offensive tool to either slow an enemy or as a form of damage over time that will take away a portion of a health bar – causing health to slowly tick away in battle.
Additionally, a special item such as an antidote may be available to counteract poison. Alternatively, it might be a more passive item that can be used strategically to weaken bosses and bosses with high health and defense stats.
Finally, it’s possible that poison may have other uses as well. For example, it may be used as a status effect to lower the attack and speed of certain enemies or it could be used to create traps or force certain enemies to fight each other.
No matter how it’s implemented, poison is sure to present a challenge and add additional layers of strategy when tackling the toughest fights in the game.