Contact Admin. By Richard Gray for MailOnline. It is one of the most toxic substances known to man and has been used to poison kings, emperors and even prize winning racehorses. But scientists have discovered one small population of people living in a remote part of the Andes in north west Argentina who have developed some resistance to arsenic. They have found that over thousands of years the local inhabitants there have developed a genetic ability to metabolise the arsenic to reduce the impact it has on their bodies.
Local women in San Antonio de los Cobres in the Andes pictutred above carry a genetic variant that gives them greater tolerance of the poison arsenic by helping them to metabolise the element more efficiently. Worldwide arsenic poisoning caused by contaminated water and food is thought to harm more than million people. Even low levels of arsenic poisoning can cause damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver, leading to cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The Emperor was said to have died from stomach cancer.
The physician who led the autopsy found evidence of a stomach ulcer but some people said it was the most convenient explanation for the British, who wanted to avoid criticism over their care of the Emperor. Napoleon's father died of stomach cancer.
In the diaries of the leader's valet were published, which included the description of bed-bound Napoleon months before his death. Based on the description, scientists put forward other theories as to why he died - which included arsenic poisoning.
Arsenic was used as a poison during the era because it was undetectable when administered over a long period. It was noted in a later book that Napoleon's body was found to be remarkably well preserved when moved in and arsenic is a preservative. In a toxicologist said he found mineral arsenic in napoleon's hair shafts, which supported the theory that he was murdered. The wallpaper used in the emperors bedroom on St Helena also contained high levels of arsenic compound used by British manufacturers as a dye.
