13 Scary Facts About Botulism

Photo:
Botox Structure

You know it’s nearing Christmas when the shelves of many a bookshop are collapsing with the weight of toilet books. Filled to brimming with myriad facts to wow (or bore) friends and family, the ever-useful toilet book provides hours, if not days, of reading material to help while away hours on the throne.

We’ve just discovered an entry of one of this year’s contenders – Uncle John’s Unsinkable Bathroom Reader – and it makes for riveting reading, even if you’re not stuck on the john.

Entitled 13 Things You Shouldn’t Know About Botulism, or rather, really should know at all costs before going near the stuff, the list highlights a few scary facts about one of the world’s most widely used beautifying toxins:

"How toxic is it? A little over a pound of botulin is enough to kill every human on Earth."

Photo:
Clostridium Botulinum

"Symptoms of botulinum poisoning can begin between six hours and two weeks after eating. They include: double vision, blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that starts in the upper body, descends down the arms, down the torso, and then down the legs. Breathing muscles can become paralyzed, and death can occur if emergency medical treatment is not given."

It might make you think twice before heading off to the decrinkling clinic.

Source: Neatorama

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