In this episode of The Medicine Murders, Dr. Meredith Beavin takes us back to Victorian England for a chilling Christmas Eve tale. Sarah Ann French, trapped in a loveless marriage and longing for freedom, baked an onion pie with a deadly twist—arsenic. Her crime shocked her small village and became a landmark case in forensic history. Join us as we unravel the events leading to this infamous murder, the groundbreaking Marsh Test that uncovered the truth, and the role arsenic played as both a poison and a medicine. This story isn’t just about a crime; it’s a haunting reflection on societal constraints, desperation, and the evolution of forensic science.
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Sources: - Historical records and trial transcripts of Sarah Ann French’s case (1851-1852).
- Archives on Victorian-era arsenic use in medicine and crime.
- Research on the development of the Marsh Test by chemist James Marsh.
- Articles from The Times of London and local historical societies in East Sussex.
- Books on forensic science history, including "The Poisoner’s Handbook" by Deborah Blum.
