arsenic forces the stomach to defend itself

An example of anthropomorphism in popular science writing:

"Taylor observed that arsenic causes the stomach to produce mucus in large amount – presumably the irritant action of the poison forcing the stomach to defend itself"

Helen Barrell (2017) Fatal Evidence. Professor Alfred Swaine Taylor & the dawn of forensic science. Pen & Sword

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Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.