How in 1900 people were massively poisoned by British beer (1 photo)

More than 6,000 people were injured, 70 died.





England loves beer. And it became a problem in 1900 - in Manchester, Liverpool and Salford. Then drink lovers poisoned together.

Weakness, tingling in the hands, rheumatism - such symptoms observed in patients. At first the doctors thought it was alcohol. neuritis, but everything turned out to be much worse.

In four months, 41 people died - an unusually large number for a “neuritis”. And then they became interested in the problem.



The first was Ernest Reynolds - he worked in the infirmary in Manchester. He noticed that most of the patients had the same symptoms and became sound the alarm. Reynolds realized that the disease was very similar to arsenic poisoning and took a sample at a local pub. His guess turned out true: the beer did contain arsenic. He got into a drink made from sugar cane used in brewing.

As soon as the main problem was found, the beer began to be urgently recalled. from pubs. Unfortunately, it's too late - 70 have already gone to the next world people, and more than 6,000 fell ill with severe poisoning.

When it was over, the authorities demanded that the brewers more carefully monitored the ingredients that are added to the beer. AND poisoned patients came to their senses within two years. All this time they were observed by the indefatigable Dr. Reynolds.

He even became a local celebrity - he was interviewed, oh he was written in the newspapers. But fame did not overshadow his mind - he is still worked in the infirmary and helped the sick.