Sunday, June 23, 2019

Salem Witch Trials: Medical Theories About the Reported Afflictions



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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