And before anyone makes a cheeky “what do you need this for 🤨” comment, I’m a writer. I’m not going to murder anyone I promise, I just want to write a scene where one guy gets poisoned.
I need something that doesn’t require modern technology to extract/produce, and would make sense to be avaible in a place with a temperate to mediterranean climate. The slower, the better. Does a plant or something like that exist or do I need to make one up?
Update: I looked into death cap mushrooms and they might be just what I’m looking for! Long reaction time, and being dried doesn’t make them less toxic! (the scene takes place in midwinter so no fresh ones would be avaible) If anyone has more info on them, please do share.
I’m thinking metal poisoning over time. Lead or copper, for example.
Mercury, Silver (will cause blue skin)
No that’s pretty obvious and can be easily treated, doctors keep an eye out now.
it’s absurdly easily detected and somewhat easily treated today, not in op’s setting
Wait, can copper be poisonous?
all metals that bind to sulfur well are to some degree poisonous. these are lead, mercury, thallium, some platinides (in salt form), arsenic, and also copper, but less than others. some metals have other mechanisms of toxicity, like nickel, hexavalent chromium, cadmium, beryllium or barium. some of these accumulate in brain or bones, and some don’t. some are more toxic when inhaled like zinc or chromium
Yes. Here’s a video describing a copper poisoning case: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saxga-xm0Rk
Yes, but not as much as many other metals. We’retalking large amounts over a long period of time.
On sidenote, everything is poisonous, it’s just a matter of dosage.
That’s a terrifying way of viewing it, thank you.
Over time most metals can build up in your body if they’re not in a compound your body can process.
Copper, lead, cadmium etc - it’s difficult for your body to expell them so they build up in your tissues