Budding author strikes (asks) again -- Poison Book

Suzie_Quezie

In 1930s Britain, did people have to show any proof of who they were before signing the Poison Book at a pharmacy?

GKCfan

In Chapter One of Dorothy L. Sayers' Strong Poison, we learn that Harriet Vane bought arsenic and signed the poison book "Mary Slater."  There's no mention of a fake ID., but she was identified by her handwriting and her own admission.  (https://books.google.com/books?id=JpkzUrZ_am8C&printsec=frontcover&dq=strong+poison&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwivubnD3IfUAhXH54MKHbnvDZsQuwUIKTAA#v=onepage&q=strong poison&f=false).   That's not conclusive that proof wasn't necessary, but it's indicative.

Suzie_Quezie

Right, I should have remembered. I have a copy. Thanks.

GKCfan

You're welcome!  Like I said, there could be more details I'm not aware of, but I know Sayers was big on research.