Rimmington's Chemist, Humbug and Arsenic

This is Rimmington’s Chemist in Bradford. Founded in 1842, it belonged to Felix Rimmington, who played a crucial role investigating the 1858 'Humbug Billy' sweet poisonings. William Harding, sweet seller, had unwittingly poisoned 200 people by selling them humbug sweets laced with arsenic trioxide. Because of the high costs of sugar, and the excise levied upon it, manufacturers and suppliers sought alternatives, most of which were harmless, if rather unnourishing. Unfortunately, the supplier had muddled his desired substitute of powdered gypsum for lethal arsenic. Tragically, of the 200 made sick, 20 died, including eleven children, despite Bradford’s chief constable, William Leveratt, sending messages to every public house and inn, and pasting notices all over the town, that people should avoid eating the sweets.

Felix Rimmington, from his little chemist shop in Bradford centre, was able to share his knowledge of the new science of analytical chemistry. He advised the authorities that that four and a half grains of arsenic were enough to kill an average adult,  but that the humbugs each contained between eleven and sixteen grains. Three were put on trial, including William Harding, alias ‘Humbug Billy’, but the charges were dismissed by the judge as no malicious motives could be detected in any of the accused. Parliament passed the Adulteration of Food or Drink Act 1860 the Pharmacy Act 1868 as a consequence of the affair.

Although this business was decades ago, I will confess to weeping when I thought of those 200 Victorians who thought they were enjoying a little treat in their hard, urban lives, but instead made themselves ill or worse. Secret poisons were being digested of which they were initially unaware. Although it is well near impossible to know everything we eat, even by reading those long lists of complicated ingredients, we may have greater regard for the spiritual food we are inclined to consume. That which appears sweet may well be toxic; that which appears sound may well be heterodox. Our Rimington may not warrant a chemist's shop, but it has a chapel, whose members and leaders would vet and scrutinise anything which passes for spiritual food. 

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,
Come to the waters;
And you who have no money,
Come, buy and eat.
Yes, come, buy wine and milk
Without money and without price.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live..."