In 1853 the Queen鈥檚 personal physician, Dr. John Snow dripped an ounce of chloroform on a handkerchief which was then held next to the royal mouth as Prince Leopold was delivered.聽 Her Majesty was...
Chances are you鈥檒l see sodium acid pyrophosphate or sodium bisulfite listed on the label of a package of frozen French fries. They鈥檙e added to deal with that bane of potato lovers, the dark, gray...
To make an antivenin, small doses of poison are injected into horses or goats.聽 The amount of toxin is not enough to kill the animal but is enough to trigger the production of antibodies.聽 These...
Sulphuric acid, which has the traditional name, 鈥渙il of vitriol.鈥 It is a nasty, corrosive liquid, making 鈥渧itriolic鈥 an apt term for virulent language. At first it may seem odd that the term ...
There are several species of such frogs which contain such powerful toxins that just brushing against its poisonous skin is enough to kill an adult human. One hundredth of a milligram of...
The durian grows mostly in southeast Asia where it is referred to as 鈥淭he King of Fruit.鈥 The only problem is that the king needs a bath. While people speak in exalted terms about the taste of the...
And just when I was getting used to being single in the summer. July 6th rolls around; International Kissing Day. It鈥檚 like a second Valentine鈥檚 Day but less sweet. I mean really, no chocolate? But...
Not all saturated fats are created equal. They have a different effect on blood cholesterol depending on the number of carbon atoms in their molecular structure. Lauric acid, the predominant fatty...
Have you ever wondered why hippopotami spin their tales when they defecate? African Bushmen say that they are showing God that they have eaten only grass and not fish as fulfillment of the...