Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
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Toxins in Biological Warfare<br />
198 AD emperor Septimius Severus began 2 nd Parthian war for Mesopotamia<br />
he failed to take tow desert strongholds in today’s Hatra (near modern Mosul<br />
in Iraq): a double-walled fortress <strong>with</strong> 90 large + 163 small defense towers<br />
surrounded by desert. When the Romans breached the first wall & acscended<br />
the second one, clay pots rained upon them. Shattering they released deadly<br />
insects that stung the soldiers into eyes and exposed skin (Herodian’s account).<br />
Why did the Romans give up so fast & close to victory???<br />
Romans were exposed to heat, double-shot catapults , poisonous insects, and<br />
burning naphta – a refined oil form the desert.<br />
Assassin bug Reduvidae are predatory bloodsucking insects that inject lethal<br />
neurotoxins into the victim liquifying the tissue. Favorite biotool <strong>of</strong> antique rulers<br />
for torture. US developed a human tracking device during Vietnam war which was<br />
based on the sound a bug emits when he detects humans at a distance <strong>of</strong> 500 yards .<br />
Scorpions can fly in strong winds (Pliny). Some scorpions have deadly poison.<br />
They exhaust their poison when attacked <strong>with</strong> sticks etc. , can then be collected and<br />
recover their poison <strong>with</strong>in a day. Or Aelian reports that you can sprinkle scorpions<br />
<strong>with</strong> Aconite powder upon which stunts & shrivels them temporarily. They can be<br />
revived by sprinkling them <strong>with</strong> white hellebore powder.
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