Salem Witch Trial

From June to September of 1692 nineteen men and women we accused of witchcraft. Some would say the findings of the Court of Oyer and Terminer are justified, but I believe in a concrete theory. Secrets of the Dead: Witch’s Curse depicts on the Ergot Theory, which believes the “bewitched” were suffering from a side effect of the fungi Ergot. Ergot is caused by a fungus which invades developing kernels of rye grain, and thrives in warm moist climates. Coincidently the previous rye harvest was under those exact conditions. The disease, Convulsive Ergotism, causes violent fits, the sense of something crawling on the skin, vomiting, choking, and hallucinations. The preachers’ daughter Betty Parris was the first to become strangely ill, her symptoms almost identical to those of Ergot poisoning, over time more girls starting showing these same behaviors. According to historian Peter Hoffer the girls "turned themselves from a circle of friends into a gang of juvenile delinquents." They contorted themselves into unnatural positions, fell down into frozen postures, and complained of biting and pinching sensations, all similar to the first child. It is not that unimaginable of a conclusion for someone of the twenty-first century, but in a time of such devote religion and lack of medical development it would not be the first thought to come to mind. A book titled “Memorable Providences” had recently been published telling the story of an Irish woman’s bewitchment on a man in Boston, the girls behaviors somewhat mirrored those of the man which sparked the thought of witch craft. William Griggs, a doctor of the town, called to examine the girls. He suggested that the girls' problems might have a supernatural origin. The new widespread belief that witches targeted children made the doctor's diagnosis seem increasing likely.