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In reply to the discussion: Salem Witch Trials documents and other records [View all]frogmarch
(12,153 posts)7. Thanks for the link
I'd read about ergot poisoning before, and the problem I have with it with regard to the witch trials is that the so-called "afflicted girls" began flailing their arms, said they were being bitten and pinched by the accused women's specters ("specter evidence" , claiming the accused women's specters were bewitching them. The thing is, the girls could turn it on and off at will. Some of them later even admitted they'd lied.
Women were often afraid to be seen in public for fear someone would see them and accuse their specters of attacking them wearing the same clothes.
Those accused of witchcraft didn't behave strangely - their accusers did. And it was all an act.
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Thanks for this interesting op. It reminded me of some information concerning Ergot
abqtommy
May 2021
#6
It's an interesting thing to consider. I figure there might have been some ergot poisioning
abqtommy
May 2021
#9