Chapter II: Preface: To New Edition

IN presenting a new edition of this work to my readers, the opportunity has been taken to introduce several new chapters, one of which deals with the "poison mystery" which recently aroused such widespread interest in the United States. In response to suggestions, detailed accounts of the "Horsford case" and the "Lambeth poison mysteries" have also been added.

C. J. S. T.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I POISONS OF ANTIQUITY 11

II POISONS AND SUPERSTITION 21

III ROYAL AND HISTORIC POISONERS 26

IV PROFESSIONAL POISONERS 34

V POISONING PLOTS 43

VI CONCERNING ARSENIC 45

VII THE STRANGE CASE OF MADAME LAFARGE 49

VIII THE CASE OF MADELINE SMITH 53

IX THE MAYBRICK CASE 55

X ABOUT ACONITE AND HEMLOCK 60

XI THE CASE OF DR. LAMSON 63

XII THE BRAVO MYSTERY 65

XIII THE CASE OF DR. PRITCHARD 70

XIV THE PIMLICO MYSTERY 75

XV THE RUGELEY MYSTERY 80

XVI OPIUM EATING AND SMOKING--MESCAL BUTTONS 85

XVII HASHISH AND HASHISH EATERS 90

XVIII TOBACCO LORE 95

XIX POISON HABITS 99

XX POISONS IN FICTION 103

XXI THE LAMBETH POISON MYSTERIES 110

XXII THE HORSFORD CASE 114

XXIII THE GREAT AMERICAN POISON MYSTERY 117

XXIV SOME CURIOUS METHODS EMPLOYED BY SECRET POISONERS 121

POISON ROMANCE AND POISON MYSTERIES