Emma Fan

“Toxic Beauty” Many beauty cosmetics contained toxic substances such as lead, arsenic, and radium. This lead to harrowing damage and lethal side effects to the body.

“Surgery Spectacle” Medical practices, such as surgeries, were often seen as a curiosity for the general public to observe in what were known as “operating theatres”. These theatres were also called “gateways of death”, as half of the patients would not survive.

“Lead Toys” Poisonous lead was used in many children’s toys, such as toy soldiers. The dangers were unbeknownst to the public, which consequently resulted in a startling amount of children’s deaths.

“Arsenic Exposure” Known as the chief poison of the Victorian era, arsenic was found everywhere, such as in fabrics, wallpaper, and other everyday products. “Scheele’s Green”, made by mixing copper and oxygen with arsenic, was a popular colour choice of dye for its stunning vibrance.

“Easy Infection” Due to a lack of knowledge surrounding germs, hygiene practices were not reinforced amongst society. Even doctors and medical practitioners, who dealt with open wounds, neglected basic hygienic procedures, spreading blood and infections from one patient to another.

“Miasma Theory” This theory suggested that illnesses stemmed from polluted vapours emitted from decomposing matter.

“Milk and Poison” The misinformation surrounding boric acid and how it could “purify” milk became widespread despite it only being able to cover up the foul smell and flavour of expired milk. The misuse of boric acid in milk proved to be fatal in hundreds of thousands of children, as even small amounts are harmful to the human body.

“Bathtub Boiling” Gas-heated bathtubs became an easy alternative to pouring hot water into bathtubs. Due to poor regulation, these bathtubs were not only creating poisonous fumes, but were also scalding hot, boiling people alive.

“Women’s Home Healthcare” One way of policing women’s behaviour was through coddling them as if they were fragile beings. Any woman who dared to engage in “rebellious” activities, such as drinking alcohol or even reading novels, was seen as mentally ill.

“Steps of Death” Stairs were too narrow, too steep, and featured uneven steps. People were prone to tripping down them due to their floor-sweeping attire, some falling to their deaths.

Silent Killers