The witch doctors of Scotland.

Abstract

To investigate beliefs about healing in early modern Scotland, records of 61 witch trials were examined. Thirty-three were found to include healing in the charges. Seventeen described cures involving black magic, in which disease supposedly caused by the witch was removed or illness was transferred to another individual. Twenty-two included cures by white magic, i.e. herbal remedies and non-harmful magical rites. Most cases citing cures by black magic included charges of other black magic. However, several trials describing white magical cures make no mention of black magic. Most of the accused were probably implicated through confessions by other witches. Others may have had psychiatric problems and made fantastical statements. Some were antisocial individuals reported as witches by neighbours. Few were tried primarily for their healing activities.