History of Toxicology and Environmental Health
Toxicology in Antiquity II

Toxicology in Antiquity will set the tone for the series, History of Toxicology and Environmental Health, and start at the very beginning, historically speaking, with a look at toxicology in ancient times.

Philip Wexler (Author)

9780128015063

Paperback, published 25 September 2014

152 pages
22.9 x 15.1 x 1.1 cm, 0.2 kg

"...provide a different perspective of toxicology which is much richer and more important than I ever would have imagined....to truly understand our science and its impact on today’s society and science, you must read this work." --International journal of Toxicology

This volume, Toxicology in Antiquity II, continues to tell the story of the roots of toxicology in ancient times. Readers learn that before scientific research methods were developed, toxicology thrived as a very practical discipline. Toxicologists are particularly proud of the rich and storied history of their field and there are few resources available that cover the discipline from a historical perspective. People living in ancient civilizations readily learned to distinguish safe from hazardous substances, how to avoid these hazardous substances and how to use them to inflict harm on enemies. Volume II explores the use of poison as weapons in war and assassinations, early instances of air pollution, the use of hallucinogens and entheogens, and the role of the snake in ancient toxicology.

1. Murder, Execution and Suicide in Ancient Greece and Rome2. Chemical and Biological Warfare in Antiquity3. Anthropogenic Air Pollution in Ancient Times4. Poisoning in Ancient Rome: Images and Rules5. Snake as a Symbol of Toxicology in Ancient Greece and Roman Empires6. Drugs, Suppositories and Cult Worship in Antiquity7. Kohl Use in Anquity: Effects on the Eye8. "Gleaming and Deadly White:" Toxic Cosmetics in the Roman World9. Poisonous Medicine in Ancient China10. The Venomous Virgin: Fact or Fantasy?11. Mushroom Intoxication and Religion in Mesoamerica12. Entheogens in Ancient Times: Wine and the Rituals of Dionysus13. Entheogens (Psychedelic Drugs) and the Ancient Mystery Religions

Subject Areas: Medical toxicology [MMGT]