A fascinating theory

[A Desert Rose]

In the centuries since [the Salem witch trails], scholars and historians have struggled as well to explain the madness that overtook Salem. Was it sexual repression, dietary deficiency, mass hysteria? Or, could a simple fungus have been to blame?

http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/history/ergot.htm

I first heard about this in nursing school. It's an interesting theory and I think, with some merit. Thought you might like to read it, too.

 

[neonflux]

Thank you for posting this. I have read this theory before, also, (am in public health) and found it fascinating. Had completely forgotten about it. I think its all together credible, at least to explain the origins of the initial accusations. Then, of course, as Linnda Caporael states, cultural convention, ego, fear, ambition on the part of the presiding judges, etc. took over to move the whole horrible historical event towards its conclusion... Neon

 

[Musing]

There was a similar case in Roman Britain, where roman soldiers were poisoned by fungus that had grown in poorly stored grain. The local druids were blamed for cursing them and many of them killed but historians put it down to the food.

No idea where I got that snippet from, sorry folks

 

[A Desert Rose]

This has nothing to do with the opening post but do you know why men's shirts button opposite (and easier) than womens?

Women who could afford clothes with buttons also had "dressers." The buttons were (are) on the correct side for the "dresser" to dress her lady.

And do you know why they say "sleep tight?"

Long time ago, beds didn't have slates under the mattress. They had rope strung across and lengthwise and knotted into the wooden bedframe. When the ropes started to sag, they pulled the knots up and tighened them. And this gives me lots of bondage ideas...

But back on topic... did you know that Napoleon was not really French? He was actually from Corsica, which at the time was part of Italy.

 

[Ebonyfire]

In the centuries since [the Salem witch trails], scholars and historians have struggled as well to explain the madness that overtook Salem. Was it sexual repression, dietary deficiency, mass hysteria? Or, could a simple fungus have been to blame?

http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/history/ergot.htm

I first heard about this in nursing school. It's an interesting theory and I think, with some merit. Thought you might like to read it, too.

Nope. I think it was purely economics. If you did research, it was the people who probably owned property that someone else wanted. What better way to get it?

 

[A Desert Rose]

Nope. I think it was purely economics. If you did research, it was the people who probably owned property that someone else wanted. What better way to get it?

Another theory, on those same lines is that the township was divided about building a church there or not. All the accused came from the side of the community that didn't want the church built and wanted to continue the 5 mile walk to church. And all the accusers came from the side that wanted the church built. I saw this on the History channel the other day. It was an interesting show.

 

[Ebonyfire]

Another theory, on those same lines is that the township was divided about building a church there or not. All the accused came from the side of the community that didn't want the church built and wanted to continue the 5 mile walk to church. And all the accusers came from the side that wanted the church built. I saw this on the History channel the other day. It was an interesting show.

Maybe there is a little truth in ALL of the theories. It could have been several different things coming together at the same time to have the same effect.

Whew! that tired me out, now I am off to bed.

I hope you are feeling good ADR. ya knows I luvs ya!

 

[O'Mac]

In the centuries since [the Salem witch trails], scholars and historians have struggled as well to explain the madness that overtook Salem. Was it sexual repression, dietary deficiency, mass hysteria? Or, could a simple fungus have been to blame?

http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/history/ergot.htm

I first heard about this in nursing school. It's an interesting theory and I think, with some merit. Thought you might like to read it, too.

That's likely the most plausible explanation I have come across. In fact, the same had happened in France prior (or was it during) their revolution. A similar fungus had found its way into the general wheat supply and ended up creating a mass hysteria through many french provinces at the time. I imagine it has also happened in other European countries as well, though on a smaller scale.

 

[A Desert Rose]

That's likely the most plausible explanation I have come across. In fact, the same had happened in France prior (or was it during) their revolution. A similar fungus had found its way into the general wheat supply and ended up creating a mass hysteria through many french provinces at the time. I imagine it has also happened in other European countries as well, though on a smaller scale.

I agree that this fungus thing holds some water, but like eb said, it might have been a catalyst that set several things in motion, one after another.

And you know, someone at work mentioned the French revolution/fungus theory to me just the other day... small world. ;-)

 

[A Desert Rose]

Maybe there is a little truth in ALL of the theories. It could have been several different things coming together at the same time to have the same effect.

Whew! that tired me out, now I am off to bed.

I hope you are feeling good ADR. ya knows I luvs ya!

You know I luvs you too... probably more than you realize.

 

[A Desert Rose]

That's likely the most plausible explanation I have come across. In fact, the same had happened in France prior (or was it during) their revolution. A similar fungus had found its way into the general wheat supply and ended up creating a mass hysteria through many french provinces at the time. I imagine it has also happened in other European countries as well, though on a smaller scale.

Have you ever read or seen The Crucible by Arthur Miller? It was actually written in response to the McCarthy/Red Scare of the '50's. He was called before congress to name names, like so many others had been. If someone would give up a name, congress would let that someone off the hook, sorta speak. Very much like the residents of 17th century Salem... point the finger at someone else, and the heat was then off of you.

 

[bronntanas]

But back on topic... did you know that Napoleon was not really French? He was actually from Corsica, which at the time was part of Italy.

He also may not have been as short as everyone thinks he was. Due to differences between the French system of measurement and the English, he was closer to five sixish, according to my history prof.

Of course, this guy (the history prof) has decided that Neolithic man was the neatest thing since sliced bread (his words) which makes no sense since all evidence suggests that they didn't actually bake bread nor had they gotten really heavy into metal smithing yet. They didn't have bread to slice, nor knives to slice it with. They did have some stone knives, but we tried (in class) to use them on various items and they weren't very good for slicing pizza or spreading peanut butter.

Where's the coffee? I need coffee.

 

[O'Mac]

I agree that this fungus thing holds some water, but like eb said, it might have been a catalyst that set several things in motion, one after another.

And you know, someone at work mentioned the French revolution/fungus theory to me just the other day... small world. ;-)

Oh for sure, I should have been more specific. I mean there was all this social and political tension throughout most of France (and Europe for that matter) at the time. The fungus and it's result could have been the catalyst for what happened afterwards.

 

[Ebonyfire]

Maybe fungus is not so far fetched. These were not the cleanest people and hygiene was terrible.

 

[RonClarkeson]

Oleander also used like this

There was a similar case in Roman Britain, where roman soldiers were poisoned by fungus that had grown in poorly stored grain. The local druids were blamed for cursing them and many of them killed but historians put it down to the food.

No idea where I got that snippet from, sorry folks

And I cannot remember where I saw the reference, but some tribe welcomed the roman army with a barbecue, bits of meat on sticks which were from an Oleander tree. Lots and lots of Romans died.

 

[nymphee]

But back on topic... did you know that Napoleon was not really French? He was actually from Corsica, which at the time was part of Italy.

Actually, the french bought Corsica back from this Italians in 1768, the year before Napoleon's birth, so he was, technically, if only just, french.

 

[greenmands]

Ergot fungi is where LSD was discovered. It caused a condition called "St. Vidacis dance' (sp?) during the Middle Ages. It only grows on rye, wheat was too labor intensive for the masses. Only the wealthy could afford wheat bread.