Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
Toxins in Biological Warfare 198 AD emperor Septimius Severus began 2 nd Parthian war for Mesopotamia he failed to take tow desert strongholds in today’s Hatra (near modern Mosul in Iraq): a double-walled fortress with 90 large + 163 small defense towers surrounded by desert. When the Romans breached the first wall & acscended the second one, clay pots rained upon them. Shattering they released deadly insects that stung the soldiers into eyes and exposed skin (Herodian’s account). Why did the Romans give up so fast & close to victory??? Romans were exposed to heat, double-shot catapults , poisonous insects, and burning naphta – a refined oil form the desert. Assassin bug Reduvidae are predatory bloodsucking insects that inject lethal neurotoxins into the victim liquifying the tissue. Favorite biotool of antique rulers for torture. US developed a human tracking device during Vietnam war which was based on the sound a bug emits when he detects humans at a distance of 500 yards . Scorpions can fly in strong winds (Pliny). Some scorpions have deadly poison. They exhaust their poison when attacked with sticks etc. , can then be collected and recover their poison within a day. Or Aelian reports that you can sprinkle scorpions with Aconite powder upon which stunts & shrivels them temporarily. They can be revived by sprinkling them with white hellebore powder.
Incendiary Warfare Plant-derived incendiaries: Pine pitch – flammable resin tapped from conifers. Later resin was distilled to turpentine. Resin fires burn hot and stick to their target. Arrows can be dipped into resin before igniting & firing them. Later sulphur (brimstone = burning stone found near volcanoes and hot springs) & charcoal were added for endurance (Spartans, Chinese). No other substance is as easily ignited as sulphur (Pliny). Burning sulphur creates acrid smelling SO2 – a poisonous gas. Chinese added saltpeter = nitrates. Burning arrows & catapult spears were advanced into hollow cane tubes (Chinese fire lance) filled with resin + later bitumen causing great carnage (see use in battle against some Germanic tribes shown in Hollywood’s “Gladiator” ) Naval varnish: colophon = black residue of turpentine (tar) boiled down with sharp vinegar. Ignites ships caulking and burns on the water surface. 212 BC engineer mathematician Archimedes of Syracuse devised heat rays against Romans by using polished bronze mirrors to inflame Roman ships. 1972 Greek engineer Sakkas succ. repeated experiment with 60 mirrors at a ship 50 m away.
- Page 39 and 40: Ilex Holly unknown hemolytic agent
- Page 41 and 42: Plants that can be used as soap ers
- Page 43 and 44: Papaveracea - Poppy family -Opium O
- Page 45 and 46: Poison Hemlock Conium maculatum : P
- Page 47 and 48: Plants with toxic alkaloids: Solanu
- Page 49 and 50: toxic alkaloids larkspur Delphiniu
- Page 51 and 52: Unusual Poisons The slobber weed: P
- Page 53 and 54: Teratogens Teratology is the study
- Page 55 and 56: Rhubarb RheumXcultorum malic acid i
- Page 57 and 58: Plants with toxic Oxalates: Skunk c
- Page 59 and 60: Rhubarb RheumXcultorum malic acid i
- Page 61 and 62: Plants with toxic amino acids and p
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- Page 65 and 66: Delayed Poisons Coyotillo berries:
- Page 67 and 68: Stinging Hairs of the Urticas For a
- Page 69 and 70: Porcupine Potato Solanum pyracanthu
- Page 71 and 72: Rue (Ruta) is a genus of strongly s
- Page 73 and 74: Manchineel Hippomane mancinella Man
- Page 75 and 76: Terrible or horrible Plants While m
- Page 77 and 78: Plants attacking the Immune system
- Page 79 and 80: Major sources of true Allergens Sym
- Page 81 and 82: Major food Allergenics (FALCPA) Sym
- Page 83 and 84: Mechanism and cross-reactions An an
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- Page 89: Toxins of Chemical & Biological War
- Page 93 and 94: Greek Fire Roasting limestone CaCO3
- Page 95: Greek Fire Kallinikos (513 AD) fled
Incendiary Warfare<br />
Plant-derived incendiaries: Pine pitch – flammable resin<br />
tapped from conifers. Later resin was distilled to turpentine.<br />
Resin fires burn hot and stick to their target. Arrows can be<br />
dipped into resin before igniting & firing them. Later<br />
sulphur (brimstone = burning stone found near volcanoes<br />
and hot springs) & charcoal were added for endurance<br />
(Spartans, Chinese). No other substance is as easily ignited<br />
as sulphur (Pliny). Burning sulphur creates acrid smelling<br />
SO2 – a poisonous gas. Chinese added saltpeter = nitrates.<br />
Burning arrows & catapult spears were advanced into hollow cane tubes<br />
(Chinese fire lance) filled <strong>with</strong> resin + later bitumen causing great carnage (see<br />
use in battle against some Germanic tribes shown in Hollywood’s “Gladiator” )<br />
Naval varnish: colophon = black residue <strong>of</strong> turpentine (tar) boiled down<br />
<strong>with</strong> sharp vinegar. Ignites ships caulking and burns on the water surface.<br />
212 BC engineer mathematician Archimedes <strong>of</strong> Syracuse devised heat rays<br />
against Romans by using polished bronze mirrors to inflame Roman ships. 1972<br />
Greek engineer Sakkas succ. repeated experiment <strong>with</strong> 60 mirrors at a ship 50 m away.
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