Contribution of Arrow and Ordeal Poisons to Medicine

Abstract

Trial by ordeal is a system of justice which existed in certain parts of the world whereby poisonous potions were administered to suspected criminals. If the suspect died he was guilty of the alleged offence, but if he survived he was innocent. If on the one hand the potion was not strong enough or the suspect possessed a strong physique, death might not occur, even if the suspect was guilty. If on the other hand the potion was strong enough or the suspect possessed a weak constitution, death might occur irrespective of guilt or innocence. Thus justice by ordeal hardly discriminated between the guilty and the innocent, and “miscarriage of justice” was the rule rather than the exception. Arrow poisons are used principally for hunting, and Sometimes for fighting. In Contrast to ordeal poisons which were always adrninistered by mouth, arrow poisons pass into the body through the wound in?icted by the arrow.