Trying to figure out if the poison is the strongest in nature is doomed to failure - too many variables affect the results. Nevertheless, if we take only one parameter - the average lethal dose, only one type of living beings - laboratory mice, only one route of administration - intramuscular, evaluate not whole poisons, but their individual components, then we can get some idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe "ideal killers" .

The average lethal dose, DL50 (lat. dosis letalis), causes the death of half of the experimental animals (DL100 is the dose that is the minimum sufficient for everyone who received it). DL is measured in milligrams of a substance per 1 kg of animal body weight (mg / kg), in our rating it is indicated in brackets after the name of the substance. So, the top 10 most toxic poisons with DL50 are for mice when administered intramuscularly.

Neurotoxin II (0.085 mg/kg)

A source: a component of the poison of the Central Asian (Naja oxiana).

The poison of this snake is extremely strong. When bitten, it has a neurotoxic effect. After the bite, the victim is lethargic, but soon convulsions begin to shake, breathing quickens, superficial. Death occurs after a while due to paralysis of the respiratory tract. Local manifestations (hematomas, tumors) do not occur with a bite of the Central Asian.

Despite the danger, this snake bites quite rarely, preferring to take a defensive posture when danger approaches, and hisses loudly, raising the front part of the body and spreading the front eight pairs of cervical ribs to the sides in such a way that the flattened neck expands in the form of a “hood”. Usually, this is enough to convince the enemy to retreat. Although, even if the enemy does not heed the warnings, this is not always followed by a bite. First, the cobra inflicts a fake bite - throwing the front of the body sharply forward and hitting the enemy with its head. The mouth is closed during this blow. Thus, the snake protects its own from possible injury.

The Central Asian cobra, whose length reaches 1.5-1.6 m, is common in northwestern India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and northeastern Iran. In Central Asia, this snake is found in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The northern border of the range is the Nura-Tau ridge and the Bel-Tau-Ata mountains, the western border is the spurs of the Turkestan ridge.

Antidote: it is recommended to introduce Anticobra serum or polyvalent anti-snake serum, use of anticholinesterase drugs in combination with atropine, corticosteroids, antihypoxants. With deep respiratory disorders, artificial ventilation of the lungs is necessary.

Alpha-latrotoxin (0.045 mg/kg)

A source: contained in the poison of 31 species of spiders of the genus Latrodectus (karakurt).

A neurotoxin that causes the release of acetylcholine, norepinephrine and other mediators from presynaptic endings, followed by depletion of their reserves.

At the time of the bite, an instant burning pain is most often felt (in some sources, the bite is painless), spreading throughout the body after 15-30 minutes. Usually patients complain of unbearable pain in the abdomen, lower back, chest. Characterized by sharp abdominal muscles. Shortness of breath, palpitations, increased heart rate, dizziness, headache, tremor, vomiting, pallor or flushing of the face, sweating, a feeling of heaviness in the thoracic and epigastric regions, exophthalmos and dilated pupils. The face becomes bluish. Priapism, bronchospasm, urinary retention and defecation are also characteristic. Psychomotor agitation in the later stages of poisoning is replaced by deep depression, blackout of consciousness, and delirium. Deaths have been reported in humans and farm animals. After 3-5 days, the skin becomes covered with a rash, and the condition of the victim improves somewhat. Recovery begins in 2-3 weeks, but for a long time he feels general weakness.

Karakurts ("black widows") live in tropical, subtropical and even temperate latitudes on all continents except Antarctica. Only females are dangerous for them (their body size is up to 2 cm). Males are much smaller (0.5 cm) and are not able to bite through human skin. The toxicity of the poison has a pronounced seasonal dependence: September is about ten times more powerful than May.

Antidote: antikarakurt serum.

Alpha Conotoxin (0.012 mg/kg)

A source: component of the complex venom of the mollusk Conus geographus (geographical cone).

A neurotoxin that blocks H-cholinergic receptors in muscles and peripheral nerves.

Cones are very active when touched in their habitat. Their toxic apparatus consists of a poisonous gland connected by a duct to a hard proboscis with a radula-grater located at the wide end of the shell, with sharp spikes that replace the teeth of the mollusk. If you take the shell in your hands, the mollusk instantly pushes the radula and sticks spikes into the body. The injection is accompanied by acute, leading to loss of consciousness pain, numbness of the fingers, strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, and sometimes paralysis. In the Pacific Islands, shell collectors have been reported to have died from cone stings.

The shells of the cone are 15-20 cm long. The habitat is the eastern and northern coasts of Australia, the eastern coast of Southeast Asia and China, and the Central Pacific region.

Antidote A: There is no antidote. The only measure is profuse bleeding from the injection site.

Chiriquitotoxin (0.01 mg/kg)

A source: Produced by the skin of the toad Atelopus chiriquiensis.

A structural analog of tetrodotoxin, it differs only in the replacement of the CH2OH group by a yet unidentified radical. Neurotoxin blocks sodium and potassium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

Causes disorders of coordination of movements, convulsions, incomplete paralysis of the limbs.

Small (males - about 3 cm, females - 3.5-5 cm) toads with the beautiful name of chirikita are found on the isthmus between North and South America - in Panama and Costa Rica. The species is under threat of extinction. The toxin is produced by the skin of chirkit, and the toxicity, we recall, was evaluated when injected intramuscularly.

Antidote

Titiutoxin (0.009 mg/kg)

A source: one of the components of the venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion (Androctonus australis).

Neurotoxin slows down the inactivation of fast sodium channels of electrically excitable membranes, which leads to the development of persistent depolarization.

The venom of the yellow fat-tailed scorpion is produced in two enlarged glands located just behind the sting, which looks like a thorn at the end of the tail. It is they who give the scorpions the appearance of "fat men". It differs from other scorpions in the color of the sting - from dark brown to black. The venom of the fat-tailed scorpion is so toxic that it can even kill an adult human. Feeds mainly on small insects such as locusts or beetles, but easily kills small lizards or mice. As soon as the victim ceases to resist, the scorpion dismembers the body into small parts with the help of sharp claws.

Up to 80% of all serious poisonings and up to 95% of deaths from scorpion stings are associated with this type of scorpion.

Androctonus australis - medium-sized scorpions up to 10 cm long. They do not have Australia: australis in Latin is “southern”, and androctonus in Greek is “killer”. They are found in the Middle East, in the north and southeast of Africa (Algeria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Iran, etc.).

Antidote: antitoxic serum "Antiscorpion". As a slightly less effective replacement, Antikarakurt serum can be used.

Tetrodotoxin (0.008 mg/kg)

A source: produced and accumulated in the tissues of fish of the Tetraodontidae family, the mollusk BabyIonia japonica and a close relative of the chirikit, the toad Atelopus varius.

Neurotoxin selectively blocks sodium channels in the membranes of nerve endings.

It is a dangerous poison that, once ingested, causes severe pain, convulsions, and usually death.

Some species of the Tetraodontidae family (four-toothed, they are also pufferfish, dogfish and pufferfish) reach a length of up to half a meter. Both these fish and the dish made from them are called "puffer" in Japan. The poison is found in the liver, milk, caviar, intestines and skin, so only specially trained chefs are allowed to cook fugu, who remove poisonous organs according to a separate method for each type. If pufferfish meat is prepared by ignorant amateurs, then in 60 cases out of 100, trying such a dish leads to death. And so far, such cases are not uncommon. According to a Japanese proverb, "He who eats fugu is a fool, but he who does not eat is also a fool."
The habitat of the puffer fish is from the northern coast of Australia to the northern coast of Japan and from the southern coast of China to the eastern islands of Oceania.

The mollusk Babylonia japonica has a very beautiful shell of a classic spiral shape 40-85 mm long. Habitat - the coast of the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan and Japan.

Toads Atelopus varius (variegated Atelopus) are small, 2.5-4 cm, and if you are lucky, you can stumble upon them only in the jungles of Panama and Costa Rica.

Antidote: there is no specific antidote, detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out.

Typoxin (tipotoxin) (0.002 mg/kg)

A source: component of the venom of the most venomous snake on earth, the Australian taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus). Before the development of an antidote (1955), up to 90% of those bitten died.

Presynaptic toxin, has phospholipase activity and causes a characteristic release of neurotransmitters in the conduction of a nerve impulse (weakening of secretion, intensification and, finally, its complete inhibition). It has neurotoxic and myotoxic effects.

Taipan is very aggressive. When threatened, it twists and vibrates with the tip of its tail. Snakes are most aggressive during the mating and skinning season, but that doesn't mean they are peaceful and docile at other times.

Taipans reach a length of 2 to 3.6 m. They are distinguished by a very aggressive character, but, fortunately, they are found only in sparsely populated areas on the northeast coast of Australia and southern New Guinea.

Antidote: antitoxic taipan serum.

Batrachotoxin (0.002 mg/kg)

A source: skin secretion of leaf-climbing frogs of the genus Phyllobates.

It has a strong cardiotoxic effect, causing extrasystoles and ventricular fibrillation, paralyzes the respiratory muscles, myocardium and skeletal muscles. Persistently and irreversibly increases the permeability of the resting membrane for sodium ions, blocks axonal transport.

The poisonousness of these frogs is such that you can even touch them. Skin secretions of leafolases contain batrachotoxin alkaloids, which, when ingested, cause arrhythmia, fibrillation, and cardiac arrest.

Tree frogs do not exceed 5 cm in length, usually brightly colored in gold, black-orange and black-yellow tones (warning coloration). If you are brought to South America from Nicaragua to Colombia, do not grab them with your hands.

Antidote: there is no specific antidote, detoxification and symptomatic therapy is carried out. A strong antagonist is tetrodotoxin - wedge wedge ...

Palitoxin (0.00015 mg/kg)

A source: contained in rays of six-rayed coral polyps Palythoa toxica, P. tuberculosa, P. caribacorum.

cytotoxic poison. Damages the sodium-potassium pump of cells, disrupting the ion concentration gradient between the cell and the extracellular environment. Causes pain in the chest, as in angina pectoris, tachycardia, shortness of breath, hemolysis. Death occurs within the first few minutes after a polyp injection.

The body of these polyps - the inhabitants of the coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans - does not consist of eight, as in ordinary corals, but of six or more than eight rays located on several corollas, usually a multiple of six.

Antidote: there is no specific antidote, symptomatic therapy is carried out. Animal studies show that simple vasodilators like papaverine or isosorbide dinitrate may be effective.

Diamphotoxin (0.000025 Kmg/kg)

A source: the most powerful Poison of animal origin on our planet, contained in the hemolymph ("blood") of the larvae of the South African leaf beetle of the genus Diamphidia (D. Klocusta, D. Knigro-ornata, D. Kfemoralis), belonging to the same family with all known pests - colorado potato beetle. Designed solely for protection from predators.

A single-chain polypeptide that opens all sodium-potassium channels in the cell membrane for input, as a result of which the cell dies due to intracellular electrolyte imbalance. It has a neurotoxic and especially pronounced hemolytic effect, in a short period to reduce the content of hemoglobin in the blood by 75% due to the massive destruction of red blood cells. Bushmen still use crushed diamphidian larvae: an arrow lubricated with this slurry can knock down an adult 500-kilogram giraffe.

Adult beetles reach 10-12 mm in length. Females lay their eggs on the branches of Commiphora plants. The larvae burrow into the ground, pupate, and develop to a pupa in a few years. Therefore, finding Diamphidia cocoons is not a problem for hunters.

Antidote: there is no specific antidote. Carry out detoxification and symptomatic therapy.

Poisonous substances lie in wait for us everywhere. Some of them have an almost instant effect, while others can act slowly. The degree of intoxication in each case is different. It depends on the characteristics of the organism and the amount of poison that has entered the body. Therefore, it is problematic to determine the most powerful poison in the world. Nevertheless, it is possible to single out a list of toxic substances that pose the greatest danger.

The strongest poisonous chemicals

Potent poisons are synthesized by scientists for military purposes. But sometimes toxic substances can also be found in domestic conditions. Among the most dangerous of them are:

  1. Mercury. It is contained in ordinary thermometers. If the integrity of the flask is not broken, then mercury does not pose any health hazard. Mercury vapor from a broken thermometer can cause irreparable harm. The evaporation process starts even at room temperature. Collect spilled mercury yourself is prohibited. You must immediately seek help from a specialized service.
  2. methanol. This substance is often confused with edible ethyl alcohol, which leads to serious poisoning. Methanol is colorless and odorless, so it is impossible to identify it without a laboratory examination. The use of even a small amount of this substance is fatal. the person loses his sight.
  3. Potassium cyanide. It is the most powerful poison for humans. It is widely used in plastic products, photography, gold mining and some other fields. Poisoning occurs even from inhalation of cyanide vapors. In the shortest possible time, respiratory failure develops, convulsions appear. In case of severe intoxication, death occurs.
  4. Sarin. This is a substance that was synthesized by German scientists. They pursued the goal of creating the world's strongest pesticide. The resulting gas has gained fame as a poison that causes a long and painful death. Today, the deadly poison sarin is officially banned, but terrorists are trying to use it as a chemical weapon.
  5. Arsenic. This element of the periodic table has long been used as a poison. They poisoned many political figures. Symptoms of poisoning are similar to cholera. First of all, there are cramps and severe pain in the abdomen. After ingestion of large amounts of arsenic, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer develop.

These substances are extremely dangerous for humans. Therefore, their features must be remembered.

The most dangerous poisons for humans are also found in plants. Such poisoning often lies in wait for inexperienced mushroom pickers and other flora lovers. The following substances deserve special attention:

  1. Amatoxin is the most powerful poison of protein nature. It is found in some mushrooms, including the pale grebe. Once in the human body, the toxin immediately begins to destroy the internal organs. The first signs of intoxication may appear only after a few days. In this case, valuable time to save a person is lost, and doctors cannot guarantee a favorable prognosis. Even if the patient's life can be saved, his health will be severely undermined. Most likely, a person will be tormented by kidney or liver failure, problems with the respiratory system all his life. Often people wonder what is more toxic than pale grebe or potassium cyanide. In fact, these poisons can be put on the same level in terms of toxicity.
  2. Strychnine. This poison is part of the nuts of the chilibuha tree. In microscopic dosages, it is used for medical purposes. If the allowable amount is exceeded, death occurs, but before that the person experiences severe torment.
  3. Ricin. Contained in castor bean. It is dangerous to inhale small grains of this substance. Its poisoning ability is several times higher than potassium cyanide. Human death occurs if ricin is injected directly into the blood.
  4. Curare. It is a poison that is made from a mixture of South American plants. Its main component is an alkaloid, which, when ingested, leads to paralysis and cardiac arrest. Death from curare is painful.

To avoid poisoning with such poisons, never eat unknown plants. Teach your children about safety precautions when traveling outdoors.

If you notice the first symptoms of poisoning, contact your doctor immediately. The chances of salvation remain only if the problem is identified in a timely manner.

Poisons of animal origin

Poison can kill a person instantly. Such toxic substances are often carried by animals. Among them are:

  1. Chiritoads. The skin of these amphibians secretes chiriquitotoxin. This neurotoxin has a toxic effect on the human nervous system. After intoxication, a person develops severe convulsions, coordination of movements is disturbed, complete paralysis of the limbs may develop. The poison has a strong effect if it is administered intramuscularly.
  2. Fugu fish. Milk, caviar and liver of this fish contain tetrodotoxin. This substance causes severe poisoning, which is accompanied by severe itching, salivation, convulsions, difficulty swallowing. The poison is fast, therefore, in the shortest possible time, paralysis of the respiratory system develops and death occurs.
  3. Australian taipan. The venom of this snake contains typotoxin. If it enters the human bloodstream, it leads to paralysis of the respiratory muscles and impaired blood clotting. This snake venom is the most poisonous. In terms of poisoning ability, it is several times higher than the poison of a cobra.
  4. Karakurt. During the bite, the spider injects alpha-latrotoxin into the blood of the victim. It causes severe pain that spreads throughout the body in minutes. At the same time, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, increased heart rate, and attacks of vomiting are manifested.
  5. Central Asian cobra. The saliva of this snake contains a strong neurotoxin. Its entry into the human blood provokes convulsions, respiratory failure, paralysis. If left untreated, death occurs. Such poisonings are rare, since the cobra attacks a person only in exceptional cases.

The poison can be contained in the biological material of any animal. Therefore, it is best to minimize contact with him, especially for wild representatives of the fauna.

If you are bitten by a venomous snake or spider, try to suck the venom out of the wound immediately. Remember that this can only be done if there is no damage in the oral cavity. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Bacteriological poisoning

Danger to humans can be carried not only by animals and plants, but also by bacteria. Their vital activity in the human body leads to the formation of the strongest toxins. Among them, the following can be highlighted:

  1. Botulinum toxin. It is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Its vital activity leads to the development of botulism in humans. This is a disease that can only be treated in the very early stages. In other cases, the probability of death is extremely high. The bacterium multiplies rapidly in the absence of oxygen, so low-quality canned food often becomes a source of poisoning.
  2. Anthrax bacillus. Its entry into the body leads to the development of anthrax. This disease develops rapidly. Allocate skin and intestinal forms. In the first case, death occurs in 20% of cases. With the intestinal form of the disease, no more than 5% of the victims can be saved.
  3. Tetanus toxin. This substance is produced by rods of the genus Clostridium. Infection most often occurs through open wounds on the body. Infection manifests itself in the form of convulsions, violations of the swallowing reflex, damage to the respiratory center and the cardiovascular system. The likelihood of death is extremely high.

Determining the fastest acting poison is quite difficult. Everything will depend on a combination of many factors. Try to avoid contact with hazardous substances as little as possible. If an infection does occur, do not try to cure yourself. Only timely seeking medical help will save your life.

Any toxic substances, whether chemical or vegetable, pose a serious danger to the body. Science knows dozens and hundreds of the strongest poisons, many of which are used by man himself, and far from being for good deeds - this is terrorism, and genocide, and much more. But there were also times when poisons were considered medicines. One way or another, toxic substances are still subjected to active research in laboratories. What is the most powerful poison in the world?

Cyanide

Cyanides are a class of harmful potent substances that are dangerous to humans. Their toxicity is explained by the instantaneous effect on the respiratory functions of cells, which, in turn, stops the work of the whole organism. Cells stop functioning, organs fail. All this leads to a severe condition, fraught with death. Cyanide itself is a derivative of hydrocyanic acid.

Externally, cyanide is a white powder with a crystalline structure. It is rather unstable and dissolves well in water. We are talking about the most famous form - potassium cyanide, and there is also sodium cyanide, which is also quite toxic. The poison is obtained not only in the laboratory, but also extracted from plants. It is important to know that some foods may contain this substance in small amounts. The danger is fraught with almonds, fruit seeds. But poisoning is cumulative.

Cyanide is often used in industrial production - in particular, the production of paper, some fabrics, plastics, as well as in reagents for photo development. In metallurgy, cyanide is used to purify metals from impurities; and in the grain stores they destroy rodents with means based on this poison. The lethal dose of the most dangerous poison in the world is 0.1 mg / l, and death occurs within an hour. If the number is greater, then after ten minutes. First, a person loses consciousness, then stops breathing, and then the heart stops.

For the first time this substance was isolated by the German chemist Bunsen, and in 1845 manufacturing methods were developed on an industrial scale.

Anthrax spores

These substances are the causative agents of an extremely dangerous infectious disease, most often ending in death. At risk of catching Bacillus Anthracis are people who come into contact with agricultural livestock. Spores can be stored for a very long time in the land of the animal burial ground.

The disease has been killing people for many centuries, especially in the Middle Ages. And only in the 19th century, Louis Pasteur managed to create a vaccine against it. He studied the resistance of animals to poisons by injecting them with a weakened strain of the ulcer, as a result of which immunity was developed. In 2010, US scientists created an even more effective vaccine against the disease.

Anthrax spores are found in all secretions of a sick animal, falling with them into water and earth. Thus, they can spread hundreds of kilometers from the source of infection. In African countries, insects that drink blood can also become infected with poison. Incubation ranges from several hours to seven days. The poison causes irreparable damage to blood vessels, causing swelling, loss of sensitivity, inflammation. Carbuncles begin to appear on the skin; especially dangerous if they occur on the face. Subsequently, a host of other unpleasant symptoms can occur, from diarrhea to bloody vomiting. Often at the end of the patient waiting for a fatal outcome.


The disease caused by anthrax spores develops extremely rapidly and gives terrible external and internal lesions.

Many residents of Russia remember this name from school life safety lessons. One of the most poisonous substances on Earth since 1991 has been classified as a weapon of mass destruction. And it was discovered in 1938 by a chemical company in Germany and from the very beginning was intended for military purposes.

Under normal conditions, Sarin is an odorless liquid that evaporates quickly. Since it cannot be smelled, poisoning can only be guessed when symptoms appear.

Moreover, poisoning occurs both through inhalation of steam, and through contact with the skin or ingestion into the oral cavity.

Sarin binds certain enzymes, in particular protein, so that it can no longer support nerve fibers.

A mild degree of poisoning is expressed in shortness of breath and weakness. With an average - there is a narrowing of the pupils, lacrimation, severe headache, nausea, trembling of the extremities. If you do not provide timely assistance, then death occurs in 100% of cases, but even if assistance is provided, then every second poisoned person dies. The severe degree is characterized by the same symptoms as the average, but they are more pronounced and progress faster. Vomiting opens, spontaneous excretion of feces and urine, a headache of incredible strength appears. A minute later, a person faints, five minutes later he dies from damage to the respiratory center.


Sarin was not used in World War II due to Hitler's prejudice against poison gases.

Amatoxin

This is the most powerful poison of those that are independently produced in nature, it is more powerful than the poison of any snake. It is mainly found in white toadstools and, when ingested, affects the kidneys and liver, and then gradually kills all cells over several days.

The poison is very insidious: the first symptoms appear only after 12 hours, and sometimes up to a day. Of course, gastric lavage is then too late, you need to call an ambulance. Within two days, traces of amatoxin can be detected in the urine test. Activated charcoal and cephalosporin can also help the patient, and in especially difficult cases, one has to resort to a liver transplant. But even after the cure, the patient may still suffer from heart, kidney and liver failure for a long time.


A large dose of penicillin is used as an antidote; if it is not introduced, then a person dies on average per week

It is a poison of plant origin, most often used in the persecution of small rodents. It has been produced in the laboratory since 1818, extracting from the seeds of the African chilibukha plant. Strychnine is mentioned in many detective novels, where characters die from exposure to this substance. One of the properties of strychnine is also played up: at the very beginning, it causes a sharp and powerful surge of strength by blocking some neurotransmitters.

The substance is used in the manufacture of medicines, but preparations containing strychnine nitrate are prescribed only in the most extreme cases. Indirect indications for use may be neurological diseases in which nerve impulses are inhibited; poor appetite; impotence; severe forms of alcoholism that cannot be cured by other methods.

Symptoms of poisoning with this poison are similar to the primary symptoms of tetanus. These are difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing, fear of light and convulsions.


A dose of 1 milligram per 1 kilogram of body weight leads to a lethal outcome.

The first information about mercury came to us from the depths of time, it is mentioned in documents from 350 BC, and archaeological excavations have found even more ancient traces. The metal was widely used and continues to be used in medicine, art, and industry. Its vapors are extremely toxic, and poisoning can be both instantaneous and cumulative. First of all, the nervous system is harmed, and then the rest of the body systems.

The initial symptoms of mercury poisoning are trembling of the fingers and eyelids, later - of all parts of the body. Then there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, insomnia, headache, vomiting, memory impairment. In case of poisoning by vapors, and not by mercury compounds, the respiratory tract is initially noticed. If exposure to the substance is not stopped in a timely manner, it can lead to death.


The consequences of mercury poisoning can be inherited

Most often, a person encounters mercury from a thermometer, especially if it is broken. But not everyone knows exactly how to act in this situation. First you need to quickly collect all the parts of the thermometer and the balls of mercury. This must be done as carefully as possible, because the remaining particles can cause irreparable harm to residents, especially children and animals. This is done with rubber gloves. In hard-to-reach places, you can collect mercury with a syringe or patch. Put everything collected in a tightly closed container.

The next step is a thorough treatment of the premises, which is also carried out with gloves (already new) and a medical mask. A highly concentrated solution of potassium permanganate is suitable for processing. Wipe absolutely all surfaces in the house with this solution using a rag. Fill any gaps, cracks and other depressions with mortar. It is advisable to leave everything in this form for at least a day. For the next few days, ventilate the room daily.


You can call specialists who will make sure that there is no mercury and its vapors in the house if the thermometer is broken

Tetrodotoxin

The most effective defense mechanisms of those with which nature endowed living beings are neurotoxins. These are substances that specifically damage the nervous system. Tetrodotoxin is perhaps the most dangerous and unusual of them. It is found in a variety of both terrestrial and aquatic animals. The substance tightly blocks the channels of nerve cells, which causes muscle paralysis.

The most common poison was poisoned in Japan by eating fugu fish. It is surprising that today this fish is still used in cooking and is considered a delicacy - however, you need to know what parts are there and in what season to catch fish. Poisoning occurs extremely quickly, in some cases as early as six hours. It begins with a slight tingling of the lips and tongue, followed by vomiting and weakness, after which the patient falls into a coma. Effective emergency measures of assistance have not yet been developed. Only artificial respiration can prolong life, because before death, breathing first stops, and only after a while the heartbeat stops.


Tetrodotoxin has been studied for many years, but not all the details about it have been revealed yet.

The poisons described above have an extremely harmful effect on animal organisms, so extreme care must be taken when handling them. It is better if professionals do this.

Poison is a very popular means of killing in literature. Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes books have developed readers' love for fast-acting, untraceable poisons. But poisons are common not only in the literature, there are real cases of using poisons. Here are a dozen known poisons that have been used to kill people for a long time.

10. Hemlock Hemlock, also known as Omega, is a highly toxic flower native to Europe and South Africa. It was very popular with the ancient Greeks, who used it to kill their prisoners. The fatal dose for an adult is 100 milligrams of omega (about 8 leaves of the plant). Death occurs as a result of paralysis, consciousness remains clear, but the body stops responding and soon the respiratory system fails. The most famous case of poisoning with this poison is the death of the Greek philosopher Socrates. In 399 BC, he was sentenced to death for disrespect for the Greek gods - the sentence was carried out with the help of a concentrated infusion of Hemlock.

9. Aconite
Aconite is obtained from the wrestler plant. This poison leaves behind only one post-mortem sign - suffocation. The poison causes severe arrhythmia, which eventually leads to suffocation. You can even get poisoned by simply touching the leaves of the plant without gloves, since the substance is absorbed very quickly and easily. Due to the difficulty in finding the remains of this poison in the body, it has become popular with people trying to commit untraceable murder. Despite this, the aconite has its famous victim. Emperor Claudius poisoned his wife Agrippina with aconite in a dish of mushrooms.

8. Belladonna
This is the favorite poison among girls! Even the name of the plant from which it is obtained comes from the Italian language and means "Beautiful Woman". Initially, the plant was used in the Middle Ages for cosmetic purposes - eye drops were made from it, which dilated the pupils, which made women more seductive (at least they thought so). If they were rubbed a little on their cheeks, it would give them a reddish tint, which is now achieved with the help of blush. It seems that the plant is not very scary? In fact, if taken internally, even one leaf can be lethal, which is why it has been used to make poisonous arrowheads. Belladonna berries are the most dangerous - 10 attractive berries can be fatal.

7. Dimethylmercury
It is a slow killer, man made. But that's what makes it so much more dangerous. Taking a dose of 0.1 milliliter leads to death. However, the symptoms of poisoning become apparent only after a few months, which greatly complicates the treatment. In 1996, a chemistry teacher at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire dropped a drop of poison on her hand - dimethylmercury passed through a latex glove, symptoms of poisoning appeared four months later, and ten months later she died.

6. Tetrodotoxin (Tetrodotoxin)
This substance is found in marine creatures - blue-ringed octopus (blue-ringed octopus) and pufferfish (fugu). The octopus is more dangerous, as it deliberately poisons the victim with this poison, from which death occurs within a few minutes. The amount of venom released in one bite is enough to kill 26 adults in a few minutes, and the bites are usually so painless that the victim only realizes that they have been bitten when paralysis sets in. Pufferfish are only dangerous if you intend to eat them. If the pufferfish dish is cooked correctly, then all its poison completely evaporates, and it can be consumed without any consequences, except for the adrenaline rush from the thought that the cook made a mistake when preparing the dish.

5. Polonium
Polonium is a slow-acting radioactive poison for which there is no cure. One gram of polonium can kill about 1.5 million people in a few months. The most famous case of polonium poisoning is the murder of former KGB-FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko. Remains of polonium were found in his body at a dose 200 times greater than necessary for a fatal outcome. He died within three weeks.

4. Mercury
There are three very dangerous types of mercury. Elemental mercury can be found in glass thermometers. It is harmless to the touch, but fatal if inhaled. Inorganic mercury is used in the manufacture of batteries and is only lethal if ingested. Organic mercury is found in fish such as tuna and swordfish (you can not eat more than 170 grams of their meat per week). If you eat these types of fish for too long, the harmful substance can accumulate in the body. A famous death from mercury is that of Amadeus Mozart, who was given mercury tablets to treat syphilis.

3. Cyanide
This poison was used in the books of Agatha Christie. Cyanide is very popular (spies use cyanide pills to kill themselves if captured) and there are many reasons for its popularity. First of all: a huge number of substances serve as a source of cyanide - almonds, apple seeds, apricot pit, tobacco smoke, insecticides, pesticides, etc. The murder in this case can be explained by a domestic accident, such as accidental ingestion of a pesticide. A fatal dose of cyanide is 1.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Second, cyanide kills quickly. Depending on the dose, death occurs within 15 minutes. Cyanide in the form of a gas (hydrogen cyanide) was used by Nazi Germany in gas chambers during the Holocaust.

2. Botulinum toxin (Botulinum Toxin)
If you've read the Sherlock Holmes books, you've heard of this poison. Botulinum toxin causes botulism, a disease that is fatal if left untreated. Botulism causes muscle paralysis, eventually leading to paralysis of the respiratory system and death. The bacterium enters the body through open wounds or contaminated food. Botulinum toxin is the same substance used in Botox injections.

1. ArsenicArsenic is called the "King of Poisons" for its invisibility and strength - traces of it were previously impossible to find, so it was often used for murder and in literature. This continued until the invention of the Marsh test, which can be used to find poison in water, food, etc. The “King of Poison” claimed many lives: Napoleon Bonaparte, George III and Simon Bolivar died from this poison. Like belladonna, arsenic was used in the Middle Ages for cosmetic purposes. A few drops of poison made the woman's skin white and pale.

Here is a list of the most famous poisons that have been used to kill people throughout history.

Hemlock is a genus of highly toxic flowering plants native to Europe and South Africa. The ancient Greeks used it to kill their captives. For an adult, 100 mg is enough. infusion or about 8 hemlock leaves to cause death - your mind is awake, but your body does not react and eventually the respiratory system stops. The most famous case of poisoning is considered to be the one sentenced to death for godlessness in 399 BC. e., the Greek philosopher Socrates, who received a very concentrated infusion of hemlock.

Wrestler or Aconite


Ninth place in the list of the most famous poisons is Wrestler - a genus of perennial poisonous plants growing in wet places along the banks of the rivers of Europe, Asia and North America. The poison of this plant causes asphyxia, which leads to suffocation. Poisoning can occur even after touching the leaves without gloves, as the poison is absorbed very quickly and easily. According to legend, Emperor Claudius was poisoned by the poison of this plant. They also lubricated the bolts for the Chu Ko Nu crossbow, one of the unusual ancient weapons.

Belladonna or Beauty


The name belladonna comes from the Italian word and translates as "beautiful woman". In the old days, this plant was used for cosmetic purposes - Italian women instilled belladonna juice into their eyes, the pupils dilated, and the eyes acquired a special luster. Berries were also rubbed on the cheeks so that they acquired a “natural” blush. It is one of the most poisonous plants in the world. All its parts are toxic and contain atropine, which can cause severe poisoning.


Dimethylmercury is a colorless liquid, one of the strongest neurotoxins. Hit 0.1 ml. this liquid on the skin, is already fatal to humans. Interestingly, the symptoms of poisoning begin to appear after several months, which is already too late for effective treatment. In 1996, inorganic chemist Karen Wetterhahn conducted experiments at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire and spilled one drop of this liquid on her gloved hand - dimethylmercury was absorbed into the skin through latex gloves. Symptoms appeared four months later, and Karen died ten months later.

Tetrodotoxin


Tetrodotoxin is found in two marine creatures, the blue-ringed octopus and the fugu fish. The octopus is the most dangerous because it intentionally injects its venom, killing the prey in minutes. It has enough poison to kill 26 adults within minutes. Bites are very often painless, which is why many realize that they were only bitten when paralysis sets in. On the other hand, puffer fish is deadly only when it is eaten. But if the fish is properly cooked, it is harmless.


Polonium is a radioactive poison and a slow killer. One gram of polonium fumes can kill about 1.5 million people in just a couple of months. The most famous case of poisoning allegedly with polonium-210 was that of Alexander Litvinenko. Polonium was found in his cup of tea - a dose 200 times the average lethal dose. He died three weeks later.


Mercury is a relatively rare element that is a heavy, silvery-white liquid at room temperature. Only vapors and soluble mercury compounds are poisonous, which cause severe poisoning. Metallic mercury does not have a tangible effect on the body. A well-known death from mercury is (presumably) the Austrian composer Amadeus Mozart.


Cyanide is a deadly poison resulting in internal asphyxia. The lethal dose of cyanide for humans is 1.5 mg. per kilogram of body weight. Cyanide was usually sewn into the collar of the shirts of scouts and spies. In addition, in gaseous form, the poison was used in Nazi Germany, for mass murder in gas chambers, during the Holocaust. It is a proven fact that Rasputin was poisoned with several lethal portions of cyanide, but he did not die, but was drowned.


Botulinum toxin is the most powerful poison known to science of organic toxins and substances in general. The poison causes a severe toxic lesion - botulism. Death occurs from hypoxia caused by a violation of the metabolic processes of oxygen, asphyxia of the respiratory tract, paralysis of the respiratory muscles and the heart muscle.


Arsenic has been recognized as the "king of poisons". With arsenic poisoning, symptoms similar to those of cholera (abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea) are observed. Arsenic, like Belladonna (item 8), was used in the old days by women to make their faces pale white. There is an assumption that Napoleon was poisoned with arsenic compounds on the island of St. Helena.