Thallium poisoning is described in Agatha Christie\'s mystery novel, The Pale Horse. Thallium, a tasteless, odorless, and water-soluble element is known to be associated with many accidents and adverse events. Although thallium is not easily available in recent years, thallium poisoning continues to occur. However, diagnosis of thallium poisoning is challenging. In this article, we discuss diagnosis and management of thallium poisoning.

In this manuscript, I provide some insights into the novel Five Little Pigs (US title: Murder in Retrospect) by Agatha Christie, and overview the neurotoxin coniine that plays an essential role in that story. Coniine is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, and induces a slowly spreading effect of paralysis by acting directly on the peripheral nervous system. This agent has been used as a poison for thousands of years; indeed, the philosophical text Phaedo describes that coniine was used to put Socrates to death. Based on this background, Christie\'s views on human nature and her creative powers are also discussed.

Since one of the main characters in Three Act Tragedy was an actor, the three murders described in the book have been likened to a curtain. The three seemingly unrelated murders were connected at the end of the story, a thrill unique to the author, Agatha Christie. Nicotine was used in all three murders in this book. Nicotine is highly toxic and was one of the main pesticides used until the mid-20th century. Although its use is currently prohibited, neonicotinoid pesticides, which have reduced toxicity, are still being used. Problems with nicotine intoxication include accidental ingestion by young children, green tobacco sickness, and suicide attempts. When nicotine enters the body, it binds to acetylcholine receptors and causes various symptoms.

Describing someone as disabled means evaluating their relationship with their environment, body, and self. Such descriptions pivot on the person\'s perceived limitations due to their atypical embodiment. However, impairments are not inherently pathological, nor are disabilities necessarily deviations from biological normality, a discrepancy often articulated in science fiction via the presentation of radically altered environments. In such settings, non-impaired individuals can be shown to be unsuited to the world they find themselves in. One prime example of this comes courtesy of H. G. Wells\'s \"The Country of the Blind.\" This paper demonstrates science fiction\'s capacity to decouple disability\'s normative quality from classical medical models stemming from the medical Enlightenment movement by challenging the idea of the biologically normal. It first provides a brief account of disability before exploring the concept of medical normality. It then problematizes the biologically consistent being, arguing that health is only understandable when environmentally situated. Next, the paper provides an overview of \"The Country of the Blind\" before analyzing how it challenges the idea of biological normality, framing it as a social product rather than a universal constant. Finally, the paper concludes that science fiction narratives effectively interrogate our world\'s seemingly consistent trends by envisioning (un)desirable alternatives.

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COVID-19 represents one of the most challenging global health issues in modern times. However, as epidemics have affected humans since our origins, many before us have described how significantly they compromise human lives. Leaving apart the aspects more linked to medicine and health sciences, we focus here on analysing how epidemics force people to change their habits, what type of emotions and behaviours they promote, and which roles are played by different social actors. For such a purpose, especially if we wish to draw some parallels between past epidemics and COVID-19, historical records seemed to be more suitable than literary works. Nonetheless, we have taken this approach relying on La Peste (Albert Camus, 1947), a novel based on a fictional epidemic of plague in the Algerian town of Oran. Far from creating a barrier separating fiction from reality, this reading allowed us to establish several links with our current situation. Recognising that context and solutions vary widely between the two scenarios, core matters concerning epidemics seemed to remain invariable. The important role of data and statistics, the leadership acquired by health authorities, the separations of relatives or the negative effects on trade and business are some issues which took place in Oran as well as nowadays. Besides that, epidemics also affect humans at an individual level, and certain thoughts and feelings in La Peste\'s main characters may make us identify with our own fears and desires.

Horace Wells is discussed in a literary manner as a classic tragic hero. Wells\' apparent failed end is not the ultimate truth concerning him. His story helps us see and confront life. Many of the scientific, personal, and social issues he grappled with are relevant to us today such as human experimentation and drug addiction. His idealism and romantic pursuit are to be admired. We benefit today from the achievements of his daring and fateful quest.