Introduction

“All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy.”

Paracelsus, 1493-1541: Swiss physician often titled the "father of toxicology." 

People often think of poisons purely as harmful substances. In certain circumstances however, poisons can be beneficial. There is one key factor that influences this: the dosage.

This exhibition was created by students on the MLitt ‘Curating an Exhibition’ course. It uses items from the museum collections cared for by the University of Aberdeen. The aim is to show some ways in which poisons have been used and how the dosage impacts their effects.

The exhibition is structured to reflect the changing role poisons play as their dosage increases, whether for culinary, medical, recreational, or offensive purposes.