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Tofana

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An old woman of Naples immortalised by her invention of a tasteless and colourless poison, called by her the Manna of St. Nicola of Bari, but better known as Aqua Tofaʹna. Above 600 persons fell victims to this insidious drug. Tofana died 1730.

Hieronyma Spara, generally called La Spara, a reputed witch, about a century previously, sold a similar elixir. The secret was revealed by the father confessors, after many years of concealment and a frightful number of deaths.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Toad-eater
Toady
Toast
Tobit
Toboso
Tobosian
Toby (the dog)
Toby
Toddy
Toes
Tofana
Tog
Toga
Togad or Togated Nation (The)
Toledo
Tolmen (in French, Dolmen)
Tolosa
Tom
Tom Folio
Tom Fool’s Colours
Tom Foolery