The Poisoner's Handbook Chapter 1-4

Chapter 1 | CHLOROFORM (CHCl3) 1915

CHAPTER 1 SUMMARY: THE POISONER'S HANDBOOK Introduction to the Setting In the winter of 1915, New York City is overwhelmed by ice storms and outbreaks, including a return of Typhoid Mary. Amidst this chaos, a porter confesses to multiple poison murders, initially seen as craziness amidst the city’s distress. Characters and Context - Patrick Riordan: The drunken coroner, involved in a notorious train accident investigation that highlighted his unprofessionalism. - Frederic Mors: A nervous immigrant and self-proclaimed serial killer who confesses to murdering patients using chloroform. Mors’s Background Mors was a recently immigrated orderly at a nursing home, tasked with clandestinely assisting the deaths of its residents through poison. He initially experimented with arsenic, which resulted in messy deaths, before switching to chloroform, which he preferred for its ease of use and effectiveness. Chloroform's Nature - Use and Misuse: While chloroform gained popularity as an anesthetic, its dangers were also becoming clear, as reports of unexpected deaths during surgery began to arise. - Historical Context: Chloroform was widely utilized until more reliable evidence emerged about its risks concerning patient safety. Investigative Process Mors's confession sparked an investigation leading to more suspicions about him, bolstered by corroborating witnesses and evidence, such as a hidden poison manual. However, proving murder through chloroform remained challenging due to lack of forensic evidence. Coroner's Ineptitude The investigation was hindered by a corrupt and incompetent coroner system in New York, wherein coroners lacked medical training, and were often implicated in election-related corruption. This system led to many murderers escaping justice. Confounding Medical Evidence Despite Mors’s claims, many authorities doubted the validity of the evidence because of a lack of understanding regarding chloroform's lethality. Definitions of methodical poisoning were circumstantial—a situation complicated further by the fact that the medical system did not possess a reliable way to identify chloroform-related deaths. Mors's Mental State After being evaluated in a psychiatric hospital, Mors was determined to be mentally troubled but not delusional. This led investigators to consider committing him into an asylum rather than pursuing charges, in hopes of deporting him instead. Conclusion and Corruption By spring 1915, as Mors vanished from an institution where he was not perceived as dangerous, the fallout from his case led to significant reforms. The corrupt electoral coroner's office was restructured, resulting in a new medical examiner system to bring better oversight and eliminate the possibility of equally dangerous incidents in the future. However, political machinations ensured they wouldn’t be implemented until 1918.

Chapter 2 | WOOD ALCOHOL (CH3OH) 1918—1919

WOOD ALCOHOL (CH3OH) 1918—1919 Overview of John F. Hylan's Political Career John F. “Red Mike” Hylan, a self-made politician, amended New York's state constitution to create new judgeships, taking one for himself. Hylan, who claimed to be a well-qualified lawyer, was a vocal critic of public transportation being controlled by railroad bosses. Elected as a mayor in 1917, he represented a shift away from the reformist leaders that preceded him, promising to restore party loyalists to positions of power. Controversy Surrounding Patrick Riordan’s Appointment Hylan appointed Patrick Riordan as chief medical examiner, despite public opposition regarding Riordan's qualifications, notably his history of incompetence and intoxication while on duty. Protests arose, and despite legal challenges, Hylan persisted, leading to clashes with qualified candidates like Dr. Otto Schultz and Dr. Charles Norris. Appointment of Dr. Charles Norris Following state intervention, Hylan appointed Dr. Charles Norris as the new medical examiner. Norris quickly set about reforming the office, bringing expertise and integrity, while clashing with Hylan over budget cuts and staffing. Norris’s Dedication to Forensic Standards Dr. Norris dedicated himself to forensic medicine, transforming the medical examiner’s office into a prominent department that set national standards. He emphasized meticulous procedures in handling evidence and autopsies, addressing the rising problem of wood alcohol deaths with urgency. Rise of Wood Alcohol Poisoning With the looming Prohibition, Dr. Alexander Gettler, Norris's chief toxicologist, raised alarms about the anticipated rise in wood alcohol poisoning. Gettler's extensive research showed a problematic correlation between alcohol prohibition and increased wood alcohol fatalities, predicting a surge in poisonings. Impact of the Spanish Flu and War-Related Poisoning While the city dealt with the Spanish flu pandemic causing overwhelming hospitalizations, soldiers returned from World War I exposing the public to new chemical dangers from warfare including mustard gas. This context heightened the urgency of the medical examiner's office. Public Health Warnings and Prohibition As Prohibition approached, Norris and Gettler worked to alert the public about the dangers of wood alcohol and unchecked alcohol substitutes. They assembled evidence showing a surge in alcohol-related illnesses, urging for stricter regulations. Conclusion Hylan’s administration faced growing critiques amid the significant public health issues exacerbated by societal changes, leading to challenges in assessing and responding to the deadly consequences of wood alcohol and the complexities of medical and legal forensic responsibilities in this historical period.

Chapter 3 | CYANIDES (HCN, KCN, NaCN) 1920–1922

Cyanides (HCN, KCN, NaCN) 1920-1922 Prohibition and Its Consequences The onset of Prohibition in January 1920 led to a surge in illegal alcohol consumption. The revelry quickly turned deadly as purveyors offered lethal brews, resulting in numerous poison alcohol deaths across major cities. Murderers capitalized on the chaos, utilizing substances like potassium cyanide to commit crimes unnoticed, as evidenced by several suspicious deaths shortly after Prohibition's start. Speakeasies and Dangerous Brews The rise of speakeasies became a hallmark of the era, combining secrecy with excitement. However, the concoctions served often contained industrial alcohol, disinfectants, and harmful chemicals, leading to a high risk of poisoning among drinkers. Despite warnings, many patrons treated the potential dangers as part of the thrill of underground drinking. Struggle for Resources in Toxicology Local toxicologist Alexander Gettler faced significant resource restrictions in his department, making his investigations challenging. His limited staff and equipment curtailed the effectiveness of crime scene analyses, reinforcing the need for better support in toxicological research and analysis. The Mysterious Deaths of Fremont and Annie Jackson The case of the Jackson couple, found dead under suspicious circumstances in their Brooklyn hotel room, highlighted the deficiencies in forensic capabilities. Initially suspected of suicide or food poisoning, autopsies suggested cyanide. However, without clear evidence, investigators grappled with theories about food or gas poisoning until ultimately pinning down the cause to possible hydrogen cyanide leak from basement fumigation. Historical Context of Cyanide Cyanides have a long and deadly history, readily found in various plants and later synthesized in lethal forms. While utilized in industrial processes, their potential for murder made them infamously popular among poisoners, often linked to suicides due to their deadly efficiency. Investigation and Legal Challenges Despite the evidence gathered, the prosecution faced steep obstacles, including attacks on the credibility of forensic science testimonies. Ultimately, the defendants in the Jackson case were acquitted, demonstrating the challenges related to proving cyanide poisoning in court and underscoring the need for improved toxicological practices. Gettler's Legacy Following the trial's ruling, Gettler dedicated himself to advancing forensic toxicology. His extensive research on cyanide's effects led to better detection methods, highlighting the importance of forensic evidence in court. His investigations into how cyanide is processed in the body and its detection not only aimed to resolve past cases but also to prevent future tragedies related to cyanide poisoning. Conclusion The Hotel Margaret incident served as a catalyst for reform in forensic practices and highlighted the hidden dangers posed by the use of cyanide. As Gettler continued his work in the field, both he and Norris pushed for reforms assuring justice against poisoners and proper recognition of scientific evidence in legal contexts.

Chapter 4 | ARSENIC (As) 1922—1923

ARSENIC IN NEW YORK CITY: THE SHELBOURNE RESTAURANT POISONINGS (1922-1923) Overview of the Incident In July 1922, Lillian Goetz, a 17-year-old stenographer, dined at the Shelbourne Restaurant and Bakery, ordering huckleberry pie, which contained deadly arsenic. By the end of that day, six people, including Lillian, were dead after dining there, and around sixty others fell ill, leading to chaos in the Townsend Building where Lillian worked. Investigation and Discovery of Poison Medical professionals quickly identified that the victims had common dining experiences. Subsequent tests revealed arsenic in the pie crusts, suggesting intentional poisoning rather than accidental contamination from ingredients. Health officials announced that the food had been deliberately tampered with. Context of Arsenic Use Arsenic, particularly in its white arsenic form, had a notorious history in poisoning cases, favored by historical poisoners. Despite its lethality, arsenic was also commonly found in various household products, making it easily accessible to potential killers. Comparison with Previous Cases This incident echoed a similar arsenic-related death in a restaurant the previous year, leading police to suspect a similar perpetrator. Notable historical references to arsenic poisoning included infamous cases involving Jean Crones and Mary Ann Cotton, raising fears of a calculating poisoner who understood how to slip undetectable doses into food. Medical Examination and Toxicology Charles Norris, the medical examiner, conducted detailed autopsies that revealed widespread arsenic distribution throughout the victims' bodies. Arsenic's delayed symptoms made it an effective murder tool, often misdiagnosed as other illnesses. Challenges of Identifying the Killer Despite extensive investigations, identifying the perpetrator was challenging. The motives remained unclear, and theories ranged from personal grudges against the restaurant to malice. The restaurant owner speculated that one of his bakers, who remained unaffected by the poison, might be responsible, though inconsistency in baker testimonies fueled further doubt. Cultural Impact of the Poisoning The incident spurred fear throughout New York, causing many to avoid certain desserts, which impacted restaurant business. It occurred against the backdrop of Prohibition, which had increased violence and crime rates in the city. Conclusion Although ultimately unsuccessful in capturing the poisoner, the investigation into the Shelbourne poisonings highlighted the complexities associated with arsenic as a murder weapon and the evolving dynamics of forensic science. The case became emblematic of the struggle against hidden dangers in food, catalyzing developments in toxicology and forensic practices. THE CREIGHTON MURDER TRIAL Two years later, in 1923, Mary Frances Creighton was accused of murdering her brother with arsenic. Despite circumstantial evidence including a $1,000 life insurance policy and arsenic found in her brother's exhumed body, defense arguments suggested contamination as an alternative explanation. Ultimately, she was acquitted, illustrating the legal complexities surrounding poison detection and evidentiary challenges in murder trials. Further investigations unearthed more cases of suspicious deaths linked to her, establishing her infamous reputation as "America's Lucretia Borgia." Overall Significance The events surrounding the arsenic poisonings in New York City during the early 1920s revealed critical insights into the dangers of poison as a weapon, the inadequacies of medical understanding of toxins at the time, and the complexities of criminal investigation and prosecution related to poisonings