The Arsenic Eaters, Simon BrugnerIn The Arsenic Eaters, Simon Brugner investigates the widespread historical belief that the consumption of arsenic, one of the most potent mineral poisons, is beneficial to ones health. Many poison eaters were found among the pre 20th century rural population in the eastern parts of the Alps (especially in Styria, Austria). Still accessible arsenic mines in that region date back as far as the 14th century. Arsenic eaters were robust people, usually