The mystery of the book that can kill readers

It sounds absurd, but this book really exists and it is so haunting that people believe it possesses deadly power. The book is called Shadows From The Walls Of Death.

Revealing the origin of the book

Shadows From The Walls Of Death is a book filled with mysterious and creepy legends . It was published in 1874 by Dr. Robert C. Kedzie, a Union surgeon during the American Civil War and later a professor of chemistry at Michigan State Agricultural College.

The content of this book is completely different from the wordy books we are familiar with, instead it contains samples of wallpaper filled with arsenic (or more familiarly known as arsenic).

This book was published with the aim of raising awareness of the dangers of arsenic-based colourants used in wall coverings during the Victorian era.

Shadows From The Walls Of Death , printed in 1874, is a remarkable book for two reasons : its rarity and the rumors that if you touched it , it could kill you. It contained just under a hundred samples of wallpaper, each containing potentially dangerous levels of arsenic.

The book's origins stem from Kedzie's research into the harmful effects of arsenic and a desire to shed light on the hidden dangers of seemingly harmless home decor.

With meticulous detail, Kedzie compiled samples of actual wallpaper containing high levels of arsenic and bound them to the pages of the book. Each page was coated with a protective varnish to prevent the spread of the poison.

Although Shadows From The Walls Of Death had the noble intention of informing the public about the potential risks associated with arsenic, over time the book gained a reputation for being cursed - a deadly artifact capable of taking the lives of those who dared to read it.

Although a deadly poison, arsenic can be mixed with copper and made into beautiful paints and pigments, the most popular being Scheele's Green or Paris Green .

Haunting effect

The stories of Shadows From The Walls Of Death revolve around the belief that contact with the pages of the book can be fatal. The arsenic-lacquered wallpaper in the book is said to release toxic fumes, causing serious health complications for anyone who comes into contact with it.

It was believed that simply opening the book or inhaling the smell from its pages could lead to illness, respiratory problems, or even death.

There are numerous stories of readers experiencing sudden illnesses, strange symptoms, and unexplained deaths after reading Shadows From The Walls Of Death. These stories, although unverifiable, have contributed to the book's haunting reputation.

Two copies of this special book were sent to Harvard Medical School and the US National Library of Medicine, where they were fully digitized.

However, it is important to approach these stories with skepticism. The scientific community is still widely debating whether the book actually has the potential to be deadly.

While arsenic is undeniably poisonous, the concentrations found in the book's wallpaper patterns may not pose an immediate threat to readers . But the fear associated with Shadows From The Walls Of Death persists, enveloping it in an atmosphere of foreboding and caution.

Original cover of Shadows From The Walls Of Death.

Despite the potential risks, Shadows From The Walls Of Death has become a hit with collectors, rare book enthusiasts, and those drawn to the macabre.

The allure of owning such a rare and notorious book, along with the thrill of it, has made many people want to buy it, so much so that copies of the book have been published and sold for high prices on the antique market.

Additionally, Shadows From The Walls Of Death has become a cultural icon, appearing in areas such as horror literature, folklore, and popular culture. It has inspired works of fiction and has been referenced in films, television shows, and music.

Due to the dangerous levels of arsenic in the work, only 5 of the original 100 copies survive today. Most copies were destroyed by libraries in the past.

Separating fact from fiction

Legends surrounding Shadows From The Walls Of Death have persisted for decades, but it is important to separate fact from fiction. While the book does contain samples of wallpaper containing real arsenic, the actual risks associated with reading it remain a subject of debate. The scientific community stresses that proper handling and precautions can minimize any potential harm.

The story of Shadows From The Walls Of Death serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers that once lurked in seemingly innocuous aspects of our everyday lives. It represents a historical artifact that sheds light on the use of hazardous materials and the importance of making informed choices in design and manufacturing.