Actually I think that someone must have tasted it in the past and lived
to tell the tale! I quote from a Treatise on Chemistry Vol 2 (The
Metals) by Professors Roscoe and Schorlemmer. Third Edition 1897..
"Potassium Cyanide has a sharp bitter taste: it is exceedingly soluble
in water...... etc, etc."
Cynogen is described as having a "peculiar pungent odour resembling that
of peach kernals" ,and Hydrocyanic Acid as having a " characteristic
smell resembling that of bitter almonds, and producing when in inhaled
in small quantities a peculiar irritation of the throat."
Obviously the Victorians were made of a somewhat sterner stuff than we
of the late 20 th centuary !!!. Just as well that they discovered most
of the alt-photo-processes.
Incidentally to hark to Pot Cyanide, a collegue of mine (he's still
alive!), told me that exposure to this substance in small quantities
over a period of time enables one to build up a resistance to it's
effects. Are there any medical men in this group who would care to
comment?
Alex.
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-- Alex Nanson alec@norlex.demon.co.uk Gloucester. UK