10 Deadly Things People Used To Think Were Harmless

by Peter Austin

1. Arsenic

Arsenic needs no introduction. It kills you. We know this. Even in low doses it can cause serious kidney and liver damage, so when the Victorians started using it to colour green sweets, they were asking for trouble.

Further to that, many Victorian ladies also used to mix arsenic compounds with chalk and vinegar, and chug the lot like some sort of 19th century Neck Nomination. Their intention was to give themselves a paler complexion, as a tan would imply that you worked out in the fields.

Sadly, the resultant organ damage, vomiting, convulsions and coma eventually led the ladies to an early death so, ironically, they probably looked a damn sight paler than they€™d hoped.

 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Peter Austin initially joined WhatCulture as an occasional contributor to our Film, Gaming and Science sections, but made the mistake of telling us that he'd been making videos in his bedroom for over a decade. Since then he's been a vital member of our YouTube team and routinely sets the standard for smart-casual wear in the office.