re: #422 jcm

A while back a lizard posted an article that theorized a lot of the experimentation was done by shaman apprentices, the shaman looking for new cures and mind altering substances. The shaman would watch for reactions in the apprentice.

There is a method, taught in survival classes for determining if something is edible. Rub a little on your arm, watch for reaction, then rub a little bit inside the mouth, then taste and spit out, then eat a tiny bit.

That would be a hell of a task if you’re in Africa and the only thing around is an elephant…
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