What do witches, LSD, and rye crops all have in common? That is today’s question and is one which has a fascinating history. This article explores what turned the people of Salem against each other and why people were cursed with a disease so painful, that it was named St Anthony’s Fire.

Between February of 1692 and May of 1693, Salem in Massachusetts underwent a horrific slew of hearings which accused over 200 people of witchcraft. During this time, 19 people were hanged for witchcraft, and one was pressed to death for not pleading. It is a dark time in American history and one which challenged the nature of justice.

Around the time, rumours of witchcraft were brewing. The religious and political climate of the time was a fitting catalyst and word of disease, perhaps caused by curses, spread around the area.

A ſcandalous old woman in the Neighbourhood; hoſe miſerable Husband before he died, had ſometimes complained of her, that ſhe was undoubtedly a Witch… …It was not long before one of her Siſters and two of her Brothers were ſeized, in order, one after another, with Affects like thoſe that moleſted her… …Skillfull Phyſicians were conſulted for their Help and particularly our worthy and prudent Friend Dr. Thomas Oakes, who found himſself ſo affronted by the Diſtempers of the children, that he concluded nothing but an helliſh Witchcraft could be the Original of theſe Maladies. Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions, Cotton Mather, 1 January 1689

(For anyone younger than Abraham Lincoln, the “ſ ” letter is a long-form “s” which was traditionally used in writing from the 8th century, to the early 1800s.)

The book talks about a disease which causes seizures and convulsions, pains, extruding tongues, and violent outbursts of noise and movement. A sight which even today would be disconcerting. The people were not just ill, they looked like they were cursed and being controlled by magic.

Memorable Providences, Relating to Witchcrafts and Possessions: A Faithful Account of Many Wonderful and Surprising Things, that Have Befallen Several Bewitched and Possessed Persons in New-England;

Written by Cotton Mather, 1 January 1689.



The likely cause of this illness does not seem to be witchcraft anymore. Instead, it seems to be something a lot more scary.

Ergotism

One of the most widely accepted theories is that it was spurred on, at least in part, by ergotism . This would tie in with the agricultural context, as well as matching to the “curse” symptoms. You could even consider that ergotism is more likely to affect women (since most of the accused were women we should consider this, even if it is more probable that it was as much to do with the foul sexism of the time).

Ergotism is the poisoning from ergot alkaloids, which are created when the fungus Claviceps purpurea grows on rye. Chemicals which are made by the fungus have many different effects, the dangerous ones are variations of the Ergoline structure:





Around 20 different toxic variations of this molecule are known. This molecule is also the backbone of derivatives such as LSD and LSA (similar to LSD and found in morning glory seeds, it was used by the Aztecs ).

The toxic effects that cause ergotism include convulsive paralysis. First, it feels like your limbs are tingling and going to sleep, then it can progress to full body spasm and the inability to move or function due to the excruciating damage. The psychotic elements included realistic hallucinations of feeling things crawling over your body.

In addition, there can be vasoconstriction, whereby your blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow, and depriving parts of oxygen. This causes gangrene from lack of blood, agonising swelling, and the tissue slowly turns black.

Convulsive symptoms of ergotism

Temptation of St Anthony, painted by Matthias Grünewald

Normally these two types of symptoms, convulsive and gangrenous, would not happen to the same person, however, it is hard to determine what is worse. You either slowly lose your mind in painful convulsions and paralysis, developing psychosis as it progresses, or you slowly lose your limbs and flesh as it dies painfully off your body.

Ergotism today

Ergotism is more or less eradicated in developed countries. The latest major outbreak was in 2001 in Ethiopia however these are extremely uncommon. While the fungus is still found in crops, there are strict legal limits to how much is present in foods and crops have to be tested for contamination.

How does the witchcraft theory weigh up?

Ergotism, as the cause of the Salem Witch Trials is contested. While there is substantial evidence to suggest it was likely, we should also consider the beliefs and backwards traditions at the time. The religious fundamentalism which required belief in demons and spirits (else one didn’t believe in god) meant that people were already fearful of non-Christian manifestations. To say ergotism, or whatever caused these curses, is solely to blame for the executions and brutal witch hunt would fail to acknowledge the responsibilities of those involved.

What we can say though, is that ergotism does fit the model. The area grew a lot of rye at the time and the climate and location was wet – which is needed for the fungus to grow.

Likewise, the summer when the accusations ended was very dry for the area, which ergot doesn’t favour. This is perhaps coincidental but the sudden stop, tieing in so nicely with the sudden absence of ergotism seems like an important fact to keep a hold of.