The Biological Cause of the Salem Witch Trials

Ergot contamination was not known to exist in the United States before 1807; however, ergot contamination was commonly found in Europe and caused many epidemics there. It was not known until the mid 19th century that what seemed to be sun baked kernels of the grains was in fact a fungus. This fungus grows and thrives in rainy springs and summers that are damp and warm, summer rye is most affected to this type of contamination. According to Linnda Caporael, if one field had ergot contamination, and if there is another field across or near it, then that field may not be affected. Ergot is also known to not appear for years later afterwards after having it for a year. (27) Many people can get ergot poisoning that is the result of eating rye, wheat or other cereal grains that had been contaminated with the fungus. In some cases, ergot poisoning occurred more often in females, than males.

The most common grain that was planted, in Salem, at this time, was wild rye, which was an excellent host for the fungus. This rye would be harvested around August and would be stored in barns to be threshed at a later time, when it was needed. This would have given the fungus time to contaminate the other rye. By the time Thanksgiving occurred the contaminated rye would have started to be used in the breads and baked goods for their meals. Within a short period of time the symptoms, of the ergot poisoning, would be exhibited. The Puritans, not knowing about ergot poisoning, would have mistaken these symptoms for possession of the person by evil spirits or the devil. Some of the symptoms, of ergot poisoning, can lead to a convulsive disorder characterized by muscle spasms, vomiting, delusions, hallucinations, crawling sensations on the skin, and a host of other symptoms, all of which were present in the records of the Salem witchcraft trials. (Ergot poisoning)

Ergot poisoning may not have been the only cause of the Salem Witch Trials. There is much evidence that ergot poisoning, along with the strict Puritan religion and beliefs, could have been the two main causes for these Salem Witch Trials. The Puritans were a society, of people, who adhered to strict Christian rules, disciplines and beliefs and were required to read the Bible, which they believed, showed their religious dedication. They also believed that the Bible was God’s law and provided a guide for all to live by. To them the spiritual world was as real as the world they lived in now and their belief in the devil and his evil powers over the earth make it easy for them to believe in witchcraft and persecute innocent people as witches. For every evil deed, the Puritans believed that the devil was behind them. The Puritans also believed very strongly in marriage and were opposed to illicit sexual activities.

Adultery was punishable by death and sexual intimacy could be punishable by whipping. Sunday was a very special day for the Puritans. Many forms of work were banned and woman caught doing unnecessary work on this day could be sent to the stockade. Even going for a simple walk could lead to a fine, unless they were going to church. When at church men and women where even required to sit on opposite sides of the church. Puritan children were expected to adhere to the same strict Christian codes, rules and ethics as their adults. They were expected to respect their elders, do chores, and attend church services. They were also discouraged from playing hide-and-seek, tag and other childhood games because playing was a sign of idleness, and idleness allowed the Devil to work his mischief. The children had very few books that the elders deemed suitable and appropriate.

The only book that they were encouraged to read was the Bible. Other books that they were allowed to read had to do with evil spirits and witchcraft, as related to religious beliefs. The children were routinely warned of bad and evil behavior and that they would suffer severe punishment, even death, for sinful acts. Because of the lack of books and activities, the children of Salem did not have a lot of imagination and they were captivated by stories and fortune-telling games. Besides believing in God they believed in the supernatural and the devil. Those who followed Satan were punished by death as it was one of their greatest crimes.

The woman did not have as much freedom as men. Men were allowed to be outside the home to work in their fields, in various trades, and provide food by hunting and fishing for the family along with exploring; however, woman were to work at home cleaning, sewing, washing and cooking. Clothing that the people wore was dictated by the church on what they could and could not wear. There are many theories of what caused and influenced the Salem Witch Trials. Some of the theories, for the trials, range from adolescent hysteria, strict religious beliefs, economics and the imagination and fears, of the people.

There is even a theory that ergot contamination, of the food supplies, could have been the one of the causes for these trials; however, there is no definite answer as to what was the root cause of these witch trials. Another question that should be asked is why where women and girls under the age of twenty-five, who were the most active accusers and who would normally be ignored by male magistrates, were suddenly given absolute credence. The Salem Witch Trials began when three young girls, Anne Putnam, Betty Parris and Abigail Williams start to exhibit muscle spasms, delusions, hallucinations and a host of other symptoms, after engaging in forbidden practices. Because of these strange and unusual symptoms these girls where thought to be possessed by the Devil. In order to avoid any punishment these girls, along with the other girls, who engaged in these doings, accused three other women of being witches.

These women were then convicted of being witches and sentenced to jail; however, the accusations did not end here. More people were accused and more people were convicted of delving in the supernatural or witchcraft and in some cases the accused were put to death. In the end, it was still unclear what caused these trials and why so many people were accused and some even put to death. Was it indeed ergot contamination of their food crops, the strict Puritan religion, fear of the supernatural or a combination of all these and other factors that was responsible for the Salem witch trials?