Rough on Rats was a cheap but effective over-the-counter rat poison. It was a very popular product, and in the 1880s, the company published an almanac and had its own theme song.
Chorus
R-r-rats! Rats! Rats! Rough on Rats,
Hang your dogs and drown
your cats;
We give a plan for every man
To clear his house
with Rough on Rats.
Reportedly, Rough on Rats also caused an increase in human deaths by poisoning. While that might be difficult to prove statistically, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence. Here are three cases, from the 1880s, of murder by Rough on Rats:
Monster or Maniac?
Though Sarah Jane Whiteling poisoned her husband at the devil’s request and murdered her daughter to save her from a life of sin, her jury did not believe her insane. | |
A Troubling Spirit.
Haunted by his victim’s face, John Delaney confessed to poisoning Mary Jane Cox. | |
The "Rough on Rats" Murder.
After deliberating for 18 hours, the jury found Mrs. Korun Larson guilty of poisoning John Guild with Rough on Rats. |
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