Changes

H3. There are a number of possible reasons for the possession-like symptoms experienced by the young girls during the Salem Witch Trials. Few believe that the any real witches were convicted as a result of the trials, and many suggest that the symptoms were actually faked by the girls in some elaborate conspiracy put together by a number of the townspeople. Some believe that the afflicted girls might even have been sick. Though there are many possibilities, perhaps a combination of several is the best explanation. Here is an example, albeit an unproven idea, of how events unfolded:

H3. There are a number of possible reasons for the possession-like symptoms experienced by the young girls during the Salem Witch Trials. Few believe that the any real witches were convicted as a result of the trials, and many suggest that the symptoms were actually faked by the girls in some elaborate conspiracy put together by a number of the townspeople. Some believe that the afflicted girls might even have been sick. Though there are many possibilities, perhaps a combination of several is the best explanation. Here is an example, albeit an unproven idea, of how events unfolded:

It is possible that at least the first girl afflicted by the supposed bewitching, Betty Parris, had actually come down with a strange illness unknown to the people of her era. The culprit sickness: convulsive ergotism (as suggested by Linda Caporael). Betty could have been subjected to the illness after accidentally eating rye (used in cereal and in bread) infected with ergot. Some symptoms of convulsive ergotism include, “violent fits, a crawling sensation on the skin, vomiting, choking and… hallucinations… LSD is a derivative of ergot.”<ref>http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM </ref> These symptoms certainly apply to Betty, and rye infected with ergot is a distinct possibility given the time and the place. As a result of this illness and of the superstitions of the times Betty could have literally thought and felt as though she was being bewitched. Given the circumstances, mass hysteria would have predictably followed. It is possible that the other girls then suffered from some manner of psychosomatic illness, whereby the stress and hysteria literally caused the girls’ bodies to emulate the symptoms they witnessed. The pain and symptoms experienced by these girls would be just as real as they would be had the girls actually had been ill in the first place.   

It is possible that at least the first girl afflicted by the supposed bewitching, Betty Parris, had actually come down with a strange illness unknown to the people of her era. The culprit sickness: convulsive ergotism (as suggested by Linda Caporael). Betty could have been subjected to the illness after accidentally eating rye (used in cereal and in bread) infected with ergot. Some symptoms of convulsive ergotism include, “violent fits, a crawling sensation on the skin, vomiting, choking and… hallucinations… LSD is a derivative of ergot.”[http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/SAL_ACCT.HTM ] These symptoms certainly apply to Betty, and rye infected with ergot is a distinct possibility given the time and the place. As a result of this illness and of the superstitions of the times Betty could have literally thought and felt as though she was being bewitched. Given the circumstances, mass hysteria would have predictably followed. It is possible that the other girls then suffered from some manner of psychosomatic illness, whereby the stress and hysteria literally caused the girls’ bodies to emulate the symptoms they witnessed. The pain and symptoms experienced by these girls would be just as real as they would be had the girls actually had been ill in the first place.   

Naturally this idea is mere theory, but it’s still some interesting food for thought.

Naturally this idea is mere theory, but it’s still some interesting food for thought.

H5. George Washington was great for several reasons. First, despite his lack of tactical brilliance, without his leadership the Americans might have lost the War for Independence. Second, when offered absolute command over the United States he declined, believing that the long term future of the country was more important than his own personal desires. Third, he helped to preserve the country he had helped form when he was elected president. Perhaps Washington wasn’t a particularly brilliant man, but without him there is no telling whether or not the United States of America would even exist at our current time.

H5. George Washington was great for several reasons. First, despite his lack of tactical brilliance, without his leadership the Americans might have lost the War for Independence. Second, when offered absolute command over the United States he declined, believing that the long term future of the country was more important than his own personal desires. Third, he helped to preserve the country he had helped form when he was elected president. Perhaps Washington wasn’t a particularly brilliant man, but without him there is no telling whether or not the United States of America would even exist at our current time.