Episode 51: Spanish Fly - podcast episode cover

Episode 51: Spanish Fly

Feb 14, 202439 minSeason 7Ep. 51
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Episode description

Spanish Fly is a potent poison with purported aphrodisiac effects, and it was used to kill two women in 1954 just because their office manager wanted to have sex with one of them.

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Clip of the Larry King x Bill Cosby interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZwL4c2JYA

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Cotovio, P., Silva, C., Marques, M. G., Ferrer, F., Costa, F., Carriera, A., & Campos, M. (2013). Acute kidney injury by cantharidin poisoning following a silly bet and an ugly beetle. Clin Kidney J, 6(2), 201-203.

Craven, J. D., & Polak, A. (1954). Cantharidin Poisoning. BMJ, 2(4901), 1386-1388.

Five Years for Sex Drug Deaths. (1954, 19 Jun 1954). The Mercury. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/27219793

Froberg, B. A. (2011). Animals. In C. P. Holstege, T. M. Neer, G. B. Saathoff, & R. B. Furbee (Eds.), Criminal Poisoning: Clinical and Forensic Perspectives. Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Hsieh, C., & Varina, R. (2023). 11 Aphrodisiac Foods That Might Just Help Level Up Your Sex Drive. Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 30 Dec 2023, from https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/g1022/aphrodisiac-foods-0509/?slide=1

Karras, D. J., Farrell, S. E., Harrigan, R. A., Henretig, F. M., & Gealt, L. (1996). Poisoning from "Spanish Fly" (Cantharidin). Am J Emer Med, 14(5), 478-483.

Man used aphrodisiac to spike friend's drink so she would have sex with him, court hears. (2017). The Telegraph. Retrieved 02 Jan 2024, from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/13/man-used-aphrodisiac-spike-friends-drink-would-have-sex-court/

McCahill, E. (2018). Clubber cleared of putting 'Spanish Goldfly sex drops' in woman's mocktail as he says 'they don't work'. Mirror. Retrieved 02 Jan 2024, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/clubber-cleared-putting-sex-drops-13247290

Melnyk, J. P., & Marcone, M. F. (2011). Aphrodisiacs from plant and animal sources - A review of current scientific literature. Food Res Inter, 44, 840-850.

Nickolls, L. C., & Teare, D. (1954). Poisoning by Cantharidin. BMJ, 2(4901), 1384-1386.

Rowland, J. (1960). Cantharides. In Poisoner in the Dock. Arco Publications.

Said Cantharidin Killed Two Girls. (1954, 19 May 1954). Townsville Daily Bulletin.

Scales, H. (2013). Spanish fly. Chemistry World. Retrieved 30 Dec 2023, from https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/spanish-fly/6677.article

Whittaker, G. (2023). Spanish Fly: Does It Work as an Aphrodisiac? https://www.hims.com/blog/spanish-fly

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