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An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions / Also, an Account of the Witchcraft Delusion at Salem, in 1692

Chapter 1: AN ESSAY ON DEMONOLOGY, GHOSTS AND APPARITIONS, AND POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS, ALSO, AN ACCOUNT OF THE WITCHCRAFT DELUSION AT SALEM, IN 1682.
By James Thacher
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About This Book

The author examines popular superstitions, alleged apparitions, and demonological beliefs, arguing that most supernatural reports can be explained by natural causes such as nervous disturbances and imagination. He outlines the nervous system and sensory misperception to show how visions, voices, and delirium arise, and connects fear and credulity to social harms including persecution and witch hysteria. One extended section recounts the Salem witchcraft delusion and analyzes its moral and evidentiary failures. Additional essays discuss omens, auguries, and medical quackery, and advocate skepticism, improved medical understanding, and moral education as remedies for popular superstition.

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Title: An Essay on Demonology, Ghosts and Apparitions, and Popular Superstitions

Author: James Thacher

Release date: June 6, 2015 [eBook #49152]
Most recently updated: October 24, 2024

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Robert Cicconetti, Sam W. and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
book was produced from scanned images of public domain
material from the Google Print project.)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ESSAY ON DEMONOLOGY, GHOSTS AND APPARITIONS, AND POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS ***

Transcriber’s Note

The cover image was created by the transcriber for the convenience of the reader, and it is placed in the public domain.

AN ESSAY
ON
DEMONOLOGY, GHOSTS AND APPARITIONS,
AND
POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS,
ALSO,
AN ACCOUNT
OF THE
WITCHCRAFT DELUSION AT SALEM,
IN 1682.

———
By JAMES THACHER, M. D., A. A. S.
———

‘With spells and charms I break the viper’s jaw,
Cleave solid rocks, oaks from their fissures draw,
Whole woods remove, the airy mountains shake,
Earth forced to groan, and ghosts from graves awake.’
Ovid’s Metamor.

There are mysteries even in nature, which we cannot investigate, paradoxes which we can never resolve.

BOSTON:
CARTER AND HENDEE.
M DCCC XXXI.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year
1831, by Carter & Hendee, in the Clerk’s Office of
the District Court of Massachusetts.

BOSTON CLASSIC PRESS.
I. R. BUTTS.