Women's History Resource Site

King's College History Department

Book Review

Andreski, Stanislav. Syphilis, Puritanism and Witch Hunts. New York, N.Y.: St. Martin’s Press, 1989.

Stanislav Andreski’s Syphilis, Puritanism and Witch Hunts is compilation of argued theories surrounding the history of witch hunts. It examines the impact of syphilis on Europe, the assumption that the disease was a product of witchcraft, and the gradual movement toward Puritanism in order to prevent its spread. The book also includes extensively researched background information that is helpful in understanding the ways in which syphilis ultimately contributed to the witch craze of the 16th and 17th centuries. Syphilis, Puritanism and the Witch Hunts provides an effective representation of how various social issues, when compounded, lead to mass hysteria.

Though syphilis was present for many centuries in Europe, it was not as severe as the strain brought back from the "New World", Columbus discovered in 1492. At the time there were no effective cures or treatments for this disease. Many of the treatments used at this time were more harmful than helpful for the infected person. For example, Mercury, a very potent poison for humans, was used to treat syphilis and often resulted in death. The only known preventive for the disease was marital fidelity or chastity. To ensure the practice of monogamy many people began practicing Puritanism. Historically Puritanism began early (ca.1560) in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I as a movement for religious reform. This movement sought to reform, or purify the church but with it came profound influence on social, political, theological, and moral ideas of Europe. It called for a reform in the lifestyles of all people.

Syphilis and other incurable diseases prevalent at this time were thought to be the work of witches who gained power through devils. Andreski refers to a trial in which a housekeeper was accused, by two priests, of performing witchcraft. They claimed she caused illness in the most private parts of their bodies. He also points out a Dutch physician who wrote that he believed doctors used witchcraft as a scapegoat for things that they could not explain. Because he opposed the mania he was charged with being a witch. The number of people whose strange behavior aroused suspicion multiplied and the number of paranoiacs ready to raise suspicion increased. This is because syphilis affects the brain and may cause attitude-altering symptoms in the infected person. Andreski’s arguments are very convincing. He applies various effective primary and secondary sources to illustrate points and give backbone to his theory. His book is well composed and provides sufficient background information, for the person who has previously researched this subject, to make the reading more comprehendible

Andreski also speaks of the many characteristics of the supposed evil witches. He tells us of the metamorphosis and night rides. He makes reference to the evil parties the witches took part in. He also explains the relationship these witches have with their source of power, demons. The witches gain their power from evil beings such as devils. Many of these relationships are sexual and the supposed "evil parties" have a sexual undertone.

Andreski backs up the information he presents with literature that derives from the time in which the witch hunts took place. Henri Boguet, one of the most influential participants in the investigations, was referenced as believing that these incurable diseases, mainly syphilis, were caused by the witchcraft of the evil devils and incubi. Boguet also discusses the types of witches and the ritualistic things they do. When commenting on witches, Boguet states, "I maintain that they afflict people with all kinds of ills of the stomach and the head and the feet, with colic, paralysis, apoplexy, leprosy, epilepsy, dropsy, strangury, etc. And this they do easily with the help of Satan" (92). Andreski also includes many other torturers and investigators who contribute first hand accounts of the beliefs of the people of this time. Andreski writes primarily for a professional audience or for those who specialize in this area. It make many references to different types of demonic characters and different levels of evil. However, it does not provide information on these background areas and the reader finds himself/herself researching many of the references that Andreski makes.

To argue his theory, Asndreski provides a series of positions on how or why the witchcraft occurred and then systematically explains why each is wrong. He seems to cover oppositional views and is effective in disproving each one. For example he examines the idea of the witch hunts being a way to suppress women. This is disproved in his mind because of the numerous men and boys burned alive.

I found Andreski’s book to be very well written and well researched, but I also found it to be somewhat boring. It felt as though I was reading an extremely long research paper rather than a narrative. Andreski does not seem to cover all grounds on the beginning of the witch hunts, and he fails to take in consideration other causes of the paranoia and insanity surrounding them. He shot down the idea that small pockets of feminism had a substantial part in the beginning of the witch hunts. The fact that women of the time wanted to change their role in society and increase their independence became threatening to men. One would think this may have lead to men accusing these women of witchcraft and their being burned alive at the stake. This theory has been examined by many historians and did play a significant role. Overall, I think this book is an interesting collection of views of how syphilis and Puritanism affected the onset of the witch hunts in Europe. I strongly recommend anyone interested in the witch hunts to read it.

Annotated Reviews

Hall, Steven S. "Infection," review of Crisis, by William Masters, New York Times Book Review, 10 April 1988, 3.
This review shows that there is a higher rate of AIDS among heterosexuals than originally thought. The review states that the book is "scary"! This is because Stanislav explains that the AIDS epidemic is out of hand and increasing in astonishing rate.

Knox, E.V. "Nation and Nature," review of Geography of Witchcraft, by Montague Summers, New York Times Book Review, 18 January, 15.
This review explains that Summer’s depiction is worthless in the study of witchcraft. This is mainly because his examples are mainly fictional and are not proven. 

URL: http://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/wrevandreski.html Written by Mark Pisano Last Revision: 12 November 2001 Copyright © MM Prof. Pavlac's Women's History Site