1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Toxicology

TOXICOLOGY, the name of that branch of science which deals with poisons, their effects and antidotes, &c. For the general treatment of the subject and for the law relating to the sale thereof see Poisons, and for the criminal law see Medical Jurisprudence. The term “toxic,” meaning poisonous, is derived from Gr. τόξον, bow, owing to the custom of smearing arrows with poison.