Jake walk was caused by drinking contaminated Jamaican ginger extract – “jake.” Jake walk earned its name from the unusual manner of walking people eventually acquired after drinking the jake.
Category: Poisonings Throughout History
Aconite, a type of flowering plant, is often called the Queen of Poisons. This is an accurate description as it was used as a poison throughout history.
William Palmer, an English physician from the Victorian period, is widely considered the “Prince of Poisoners.”
King Mithridates is a well-known figure to historians of toxicology. He had a large library of toxin related essays and was said to use poisons on both his family members and rivals! Supporters of the king used mad honey to poison Roman soldiers during war.
Olive Thomas was a well-known model and silent-film actress in the early 1900s. She died from what was likely accidental poisoning of mercury bichloride.