I've read about arsnic as a performance enhancing drug, c. 1890s, in many sources. Six day riders reportedly used it to stay on the bike when six day racers were non-stop.
A new book on poisons covers extensively the surprisingly wide range of uses arsnic was put to in the late 19th century, including arsnic as pain killer and stimulant for sports.. Title: The Elements of Murder. IIRC.
Mitch Harris Little Rock Canyon, Utah
On 7/30/05, Toni Theilmeier <toni.theilmeier@t-online.de> wrote:
> There is a picture of a Stallard frame on
> http://www.wooljersey.com/
>
> There is a German source which says that athletes in the 1890´s used
>
> arsenic as well as drugs originally intended for horses to improve
> their performance. Does it bear thinking about?
>
> There is a sticker on my latest acquisition (KOF) which, among other
> things, says "Doppio spessore". Is that "double butted" in English?
> (And is Columbus Cromor much worse than 531?)
>
> Regards, Toni "there was" Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.