An essay on demonology, ghosts and apparitions, and popular superstitions : also, an account of the witchcraft delusion at Salem, in 1692 / by James Thacher.

  • Thacher, James, 1754-1844.
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on demonology, ghosts and apparitions, and popular superstitions : also, an account of the witchcraft delusion at Salem, in 1692 / by James Thacher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    he was rejoiced to find that he might still con- tinue to live in despite of his dream. In another instance, a man whose nervous system was impaired, and imagination excited, con- ceived the extravagant idea, that his legs were made of glass, and would use no exercise lest he should break them. He was prevailed on, however, to ride, and the carriage was design- edly overset, when he was soon convinced that his legs were made of the substantial materials intended by nature. A few years since, Eli- jah Barns of Pennsylvania, killed a rattlesnake in his field without any injury to himself, and immediately after put on his son's waistcoat, mistaking it for his own, both being of one co- lor. He returned to his house, and on at- tempting to button his waistcoat, he found to his astonishment that it was much too small. His imagination was now wrought to a high pitch, and he instantly conceived the idea that he had been bitten imperceptibly by the snake, and was thus swollen from its poison. He grew suddenly very ill, and took to his bed. The family in great alarm and confusion sum- moned three physicians, and the usual reme- dies were prescribed and administered. The