[arkantos]

I am trying to understand why higher concentrations of H⁺ speeds up cyanide action.
As far as I know, what kills the individual is the cyanide anion (CN^-), not the cyanide acid (HCN).

Let's say we have a cyanide salt dissolved in a glass of water and then we add an acid (or we can imagine an empty stomach that is extra acidified):

1-) KCN_(aq)  K⁺_(aq) + CN^-_(aq)
2-) CN^-_(aq) + H₂O_(l) HCN_(aq) + OH^-_(aq) (hydrolysis)
3-) OH^-_(aq) + H⁺_(aq) H₂O_(l)
Global process: KCN_(aq) + H⁺_(aq) HCN_(aq) + K⁺_(aq)

As we can see, the addition of ions H⁺ reduces the ammount of ions CN^- and favours the formation of HCN. What I am missing?

Another ilustration: In gas chambers, one makes the following reaction, to produce HCN_(g):
H₂SO₄ + 2KCN  2HCN + K₂SO₄

Why not ingest KCN_(aq)?

Obs1: Sorry for my english
Obs2: I am not trying to kill anyone, just trying to understand the process.

[arkantos]

sorry. Some issues while editing the post

[Archer]

What is the mechanism of cyanide toxicity?

How would CN^- get to the site where this mechanism takes place?