InsaneJournal

toxicology | day 265 | open class mingle
[ having had no desire to be locked into kissing whoever entered his classroom on day 255, toxicology was not held for a day— but now it's quite back in action, and with a particularly special topic. he's also considering incurring a ban on tribbles in the classroom, and any present will be thoroughly side-eyed. ]

I have made a point to familiarize you with foundational toxicology "classics"— hemlock and arsenic, thus far, and I assure you that strychnine and nightshade and their many fellows will be given their opportunity in due time. Today, however, I shall address a man-made toxin.


It's true indeed that many instances of poisoning are engineered by human hands— but what of scientists and assassins that develop their own toxins? You may think such individuals more unsavory or deranged than a mere "murderer"— [ piter refrains, quite impressively, from sneering or smirking. ] —but we shall study them, and, as we must, acknowledge the destruction that we— [ he pauses, aware that he's had non-human pupils in the past. ] That is to say: that the race of men can bring about upon itself.

Not all of us are dogs of war, of course. There is a certain subtlety among our ranks, the fairest and most fearsome trait of all, and that is often what guides the hands that brew poisons. One of the subtlest is residual poison. [ now would be a good time to begin taking notes. ]

Residual poison is a recent innovation in the world of toxicology— though I will say that I speak from a certain vantage point, as an Imperial citizen, when I make such a designation. This is a poison native to the place from whence I came; until its creation, no other had engineered such a substance. [ it's not a lie; no one engineered it. shai-hulud did not plan to facilitate an economy of addiction. ]

As I say, it is an innovation whereby the body is impregnated with a substance for which repeated antidotes must be administered; withdrawal of the antidote at any time brings death. And it is certain death— though dosage and resilience of the poisoned party vary, death is guaranteed between hours and days of withdrawal's commencement. The antidote does not betray itself, and there is no method of cure.

[ he talks for a time of the poison, of its properties— it is versatile, classifiable as either chaumas or chaumurky, primarily chaumurky— and its recorded uses, mentioning the deaths of gladiators and tricks played on those awaiting execution. neither are these lies, but neither are they fully true: residual poison is, in fact, a recent development, tested only on slaves (some of which were indeed gladiators or awaiting execution) and animals.

finished, he turns to his audience, speaking softly and convivially, though his voice is edged in cold command. ]

Stay your breath! Humor me.

There are many deadly substances in existence, and there are many substances which only become deadly given the correct dosage— but it is well not to forget that the absence of a thing can be as deadly as the presence. [ he waits a few moments, watching those seated before him to make sure that those holding their breath have to hold it just a bit longer. ]

Imagine a human body without water, without food, without blood. Imagine that slow loss; allow your mind to perceive that acute agony. Imagine holding your breath for longer than your body will allow— imagine your lungs as they are now, unable to draw a breath. [ and piter himself draws a long, deep breath, mocking anyone that has been holding theirs. ]

Imagine a life without air: it cannot be.

[ just as the life of a poisoned body cannot continue without the antidote, or as the life of a melange addict cannot continue without the spice.

it has been an uncomfortably personal lecture, but piter himself chose this topic, and he has striven to remain cold and composed as always; no one but those that know the truth will see the connection between residual poison and the melange in his blood. piter will not identify this, his most prized creation, as what it is: his, and an impotent blow against that which has tormented him for nearly twenty years. no one but piter need know, he believes. the secret of the poison and its genesis is his to keep. ]