4 ms·

I've never heard of someone being poisoned by touching a napkin. Is there some substance that can be absorbed through the skin so quickly? Sounds like something

I've never heard of someone being poisoned by touching a napkin. Is there some substance that can be absorbed through the skin so quickly? Sounds like something in a murder mystery or sci-fi story.

jfengel 4y ago
Such substances do exist, though they're never as convenient and reliable as mystery writers make them out to be. In this case, I'd guess that what was on the napkin is "nothing", and her mind does the rest of the work. Though tingling in the fingertips can be produced by a vast array of substances, and my second guess would be "napkin smeared with Ben Gay".
- dandelany 4y ago
  I agree, third might be (alcohol-based) hand sanitizer, which has more of a cooling effect than water when it evaporates, could easily be mistaken for tingles if you're already primed and hyperaware from wondering "did i just touch poison?!". And the acute chest pain seems likely to be a symptom of panicking about being poisoned.
- 1letterunixname 4y ago
  Which "substances"?
jleyank 4y ago
Yeah, but why would a nerve agent or other bio toxic compound be worth putting there? I would them such compounds would provide physical or biochemical evidence, though. Such as pinhole pupils, rigidity or cns depression. Are there “entertainment” compounds that cause tingling as panic might account for the rest. Or something that’s a stimulant. Prank?
UncleOxidant 4y ago
Russia has used such things against opponents of Putin. But these kinds of substances are hard to come by.
- 8note 4y ago
  Imagine they're common place in texas to go with the guns
- 1letterunixname 4y ago
  Speculative. You're more likely to find a 10 ct. diamond than novichok in your entire life.
  - jacquesm 4y ago
    I think that if you're a Russian dissident the chances are considerably better for Novichok.
e9 4y ago
DMSO is one of those substances. You can dissolve other substances in it and if you apply it on the skin it would go through. It leaves skin very dry and it tingles a lot. You would need to apply water or hydration cream to stop the tingling. But napkin would need to be drenched in it and it would probably evaporate quickly too if left for too long.
- 1letterunixname 4y ago
  DMSO can facilitate the absorption of tranquilizers, poisons, or almost anything if it's the right kind of compound. If she tasted garlic, it was likely involved. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/dmso-uses-and-risks https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/dmso-uses-and...
t6jvcereio 4y ago
Is there some substance that X. The answer is always yes, because he universe is a huuuuuge place. That you fact that you haven't heard of X means precisely zero unless this is your expertise. Dymethylmercury immediately that pops into my mind https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylmercury https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylmercury

I've never heard of someone being poisoned by touching a napkin. Is there some substance that can be absorbed through the skin so quickly? Sounds like something in a murder mystery or sci-fi story.

jfengel 4y ago

Such substances do exist, though they're never as convenient and reliable as mystery writers make them out to be. In this case, I'd guess that what was on the napkin is "nothing", and her mind does the rest of the work. Though tingling in the fingertips can be produced by a vast array of substances, and my second guess would be "napkin smeared with Ben Gay".

dandelany 4y ago
I agree, third might be (alcohol-based) hand sanitizer, which has more of a cooling effect than water when it evaporates, could easily be mistaken for tingles if you're already primed and hyperaware from wondering "did i just touch poison?!". And the acute chest pain seems likely to be a symptom of panicking about being poisoned.
1letterunixname 4y ago
Which "substances"?

jleyank 4y ago

Yeah, but why would a nerve agent or other bio toxic compound be worth putting there? I would them such compounds would provide physical or biochemical evidence, though. Such as pinhole pupils, rigidity or cns depression. Are there “entertainment” compounds that cause tingling as panic might account for the rest. Or something that’s a stimulant. Prank?

UncleOxidant 4y ago

Russia has used such things against opponents of Putin. But these kinds of substances are hard to come by.

8note 4y ago
Imagine they're common place in texas to go with the guns
1letterunixname 4y ago
Speculative. You're more likely to find a 10 ct. diamond than novichok in your entire life.
- jacquesm 4y ago
  I think that if you're a Russian dissident the chances are considerably better for Novichok.

e9 4y ago

DMSO is one of those substances. You can dissolve other substances in it and if you apply it on the skin it would go through. It leaves skin very dry and it tingles a lot. You would need to apply water or hydration cream to stop the tingling. But napkin would need to be drenched in it and it would probably evaporate quickly too if left for too long.

1letterunixname 4y ago
DMSO can facilitate the absorption of tranquilizers, poisons, or almost anything if it's the right kind of compound. If she tasted garlic, it was likely involved. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/dmso-uses-and-risks https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/dmso-uses-and...

t6jvcereio 4y ago

Is there some substance that X. The answer is always yes, because he universe is a huuuuuge place. That you fact that you haven't heard of X means precisely zero unless this is your expertise. Dymethylmercury immediately that pops into my mind https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylmercury https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethylmercury