13 Scary Facts About Botulism

Mon, Nov 17, 2008

Ecology

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botulium
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.”

botulinum under microscope
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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This post was written by:

Linda McCormick - who has written 173 posts on Environmental Graffiti.

Linda is a writer and editor, currently based in London. Growing up in N Ireland, she craved sunnier climes so set off around the world, forever chasing the sun. On her travels she discovered she was much more passionate about the environment than she realised – although never quite got the whole tree-hugging thing – and has always had a penchant for the unconventional and creative side of life, so working at Environmental Graffiti suits her just fine.

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1 Comments For This Post

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  1. Porter Petersen Says:

    This is the first time I?ve heard of blood sausage..a simple wiki search and I?m completely horrified. But then, I order all meat well done.