What is it about?
Of course people in pre modern societies did not only know about the intoxicating qualities of narcotics but they also knew that are poisons. Depending on the dose the narcotics can kill, numb or paralyse, all of which was used for political intrigue, private problem solving or to get rid of bandits. The reports and anecdotes of such incidents are analysed in this chapter. It becomes obvious that not all of the narcotics researched in this book (Opium, Henbane and Hashish) were used for the same and that certain traditions existed.
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Why is it important?
The poisonous quality of the narcotics is one aspect of what they are, so it cannot be omitted in this book. Analysing the reports and anecdotes completes the picture of narcotics in Arabic-Islamic history and culture. Trends and special uses can be shown and the meaning each of the substances may have had for the people in pre modern times.
Perspectives
Writing this chapter was great, because the existing reports on the use of narcotics as poisons are consistent, informative not only as far as poisons go but also about politics, intrigues and struggles among people. Some of them are even funny or unbelievable.
Dr. Thomas Thiemann
Westfalische Wilhelms-Universitat Munster
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Betäubungsmittel als Gifte, January 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004722385_004.
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