A fairly common method of dealing with socio-political issues.
The most commonly used poisons were the alkaloids of henbane, datura flower (Devil’s snare), hemlock, or of toadstools, mixed into food or drink. Among the most popular drugs were those inducing abortion, aphrodisiacs, analgesics, antiseptics, digestives, laxatives, narcotics (to induce sleep or with soothing effects) and tonics (to revitalize and give sustenance to the body). One of the worst cases of food poisoning that impacted the wider rural society involved rye infected with the parasitic ergot fungus – before the source of the poisoning was discovered, thousands of people could be affected, which often led to accusations against some local ‘witch’ (since ergot, in a sub-lethal dose, brings on delirium and hallucinations). Indeed, quite often the underlying cause of ‘witchery’ superstitions and allegations was nothing other than intoxication by psychoactive substances sometimes used in the making of lotions and potions.
A fairly common method of dealing with socio-political issues.
The most commonly used poisons were the alkaloids of henbane, datura flower (Devil’s snare), hemlock, or of toadstools, mixed into food or drink. Among the most popular drugs were those inducing abortion, aphrodisiacs, analgesics, antiseptics, digestives, laxatives, narcotics (to induce sleep or with soothing effects) and tonics (to revitalize and give sustenance to the body). One of the worst cases of food poisoning that impacted the wider rural society involved rye infected with the parasitic ergot fungus – before the source of the poisoning was discovered, thousands of people could be affected, which often led to accusations against some local ‘witch’ (since ergot, in a sub-lethal dose, brings on delirium and hallucinations). Indeed, quite often the underlying cause of ‘witchery’ superstitions and allegations was nothing other than intoxication by psychoactive substances sometimes used in the making of lotions and potions.