Thallium

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I was just idly thumbing through one of my favourite dipping books [pictured], and lit upon the article on Thallium, atomic number 81, chemical symbol Tl; a highly toxic post-transition heavy metal that does not occur freely in nature. It was discovered in 1862 and over the years since has seen it gain a grim reputation as a poisoner's go-to stealth weapon of choice. The symptoms of its toxic effects on the human body number at least five, and initially, diagnosis of Thallium poisoning was difficult and patchy to say the least. However, in her novel of 1961, "The Pale Horse", Agatha Christie showcases the use of the metal in a series of murders centred around a public house called "The Pale Horse", whereupon the presentation of Thallium poisoning became more widely known, leading to a number of real-world convictions of poisoners as a result. Reading this, a thought crossed my mind about that relative of mine who ran a similarly-named pub [The White Horse, Clun: blog posts passim] in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leaving behind two husbands and inheriting the lot from the last, who it is said, actually haunts the place. Makes you think, don't it? Whatever the actuality behind it, it would make a story worthy of Agatha Christie herself, nevertheless... 


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