Toxicology in the middle ages and renaissance (Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc)

Toxicology in the Middle Ages and Renaissance provides an authoritative and fascinating exploration into the use of toxins and poisons in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Part of the History of Toxicology and Environmental Health series, this volume is a follow-up, chronologically, to the first two volumes which explored toxicology in Antiquity. It covers approximately the 1100s through the 1600s and delves into different aspects of toxicology such as the contributions of scientific scholars of the time, sensational poisoners and poisoning cases, as well as myths. Historical figures such as the Borgias and Catherine de Medici are discussed. Toxicologists, students, medical researchers, and those interested in the history of science will find insightful and relevant material in this volume. Provides the historical background for understanding modern toxicologyIllustrates the ways previous civilizations learned to distinguish safe from hazardous substances, how to avoid the hazardous substances and how to use them against enemiesExplores the way famous historical figures used toxins