A "pennurth of arsenic for rat poison": the Arsenic Act, 1851 and the prevention of secret poisoning.
In this country any chemist or druggist can furnish the means of self-destruction or murder for a few pence, and in too many instances have done so with the utmost indifference. The sale of a poison is regarded as a mere act of commercial intercourse; tant pis for the unfortunate victim of error or passion; he has the benefit of a coroner's inquest; the vendor of the poison receives a reprimand, and things resume their natural course--that is, arsenic and oxalic acid are retailed without compunction, and men are hurried from time to time into eternity.
Bartrip
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University of Oxford, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, Wolfson College.
D000818:Animals; D020261:Arsenic Poisoning; D003132:Commerce; D004739:England; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug / Q000266:history*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000266:history; D051381:Rats; D012375:Rodent Control / Q000266:history*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000266:history