Causes of the symptoms of those who claimed affliction
continues to be a subject of interest. There
have been various medical and psychological explanations by researchers
exploring psychological hysteria in response to Indian attacks, convulsive
ergotism caused by eating rye bread made from grain infected by the fungus
Claviceps purpurea (a natural substance from which LSD is derived), an epidemic
of bird-borne encephalitis lethargica, and sleep paralysis that explains the
nocturnal attacks alleged by some of the accusers. There are some historians who are less
inclined to focus on biological explanations, preferring to explore motivations
based on jealousy, spite, and a need for attention to explain the behavior.
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