The broad ax., 1896-08-01
SECRET OF THE BoRGIAs.

Many of Their subtle Poisons Used
By italians at the Present Time.
1t appears that the proprietor OF a
little drug store n Avenue A has made
a lifelong study of toxicology, and
probably knows mere about the grew
some science Of poison than any other
man In New York. His Information,
Ike Sam weller's acquaintance with
London, is both extensive and peculiar.
rho other day, IN talking to reporter,
he made q startling and somewhat
alarming statement.
DO you know, the most dangerous
class Of immigrants to this country
he asked. 81 will tell you. The immi-
grant from Italy especially the north
ern portion of that country is ols-
tinct menace to the community, and,
when provoked, possesses means OF re-
y.noe utterly unknown to others. II is
n rersrally-received opinion that the
terrible secrets of the Bcrgias an Stor-
an are. happily, lost. The knowieoge
Of subtle and untraceable polscns Inal
thew turned to such useful account, Tor
themselves, in removing their enemies
ia supposed to have died out. But the
idea is incorrect.
.sTbe skill in toxicology of the Ital-
ians Of the fifteenth and sixteenth cent
uries has been handed down 10 our
DAYS. and survives with the peasants
of Italy. l have lived for many years
In that country, and had opportunities
of investigating the subject that rev
obtain. / was appalled, by the fright
full knowledge Of poisons possessed oy
the poorest laborers in the mountain
Gus districts of Northern Italy. They
know Of poisons-chieny obtained Irom
yegetables-which kill instantly and
leave no trace, knd OF others, sun more
dangerous, which do not act In a
week, or even q month but winch WIN
kill surely within year.
THE recipes for these polsons are
handed down from father to son as
nrecious family heirloOms AND woe De
tide anyone who incurs the resentment
of a holder of one Of these formulas.
No post-mortem examination reveals q
trace of any poison, the effects usually
being to produce the symptoms OF
some ordinary disease.
although the constituents OF these
poisons are kept rigort usly secret, Il -
nrobable that the ptomaines enter
largely into their composition. Inc
science of toxicology Is probably the
most advanced of all branches OF chem
teal knowledge to-day. The profession
Al chemist knows less about the most
deadly poisons than many an untu-
tored savage. OF course the latter Ii
unaware of the elements which form
the poison he prepares, but his knoWE
edge OF the possibilities OF the yegeta-
HE world In this direction is Infinitely
snner;or TO that Of the CIVILIZED scient-
let The deadly poisons used by the
n.ttves Of Western Africa are probably
similar to those Of the Italian similar
- those which have given to the Bor-
dos and the Riminl Of fifteenth cent
Try Italy such infamy.
an those days death was conveyed
., . glove or q flower. Caesar Borg1a
aIone a said to have murdered hum
drads Of persons In this way, while DIS
Ssther and his sister, Lucretia were
.onsIlv skillful In the practice OF this
CHASTITY art . -,
New YORK are hundreds Of persons who
rossess this knowledge. Students and
professors Of chemistry ought certain
y "a investigate the subject as fully
=. nossJble IN order to be able to deal
WITH the question properly. The Amer
"a Of to-ay may see Q revival OF
crins equal to that OF Italy ana
Trsrce in the days Of the Renais-
sapce."-New York Press.