The Salem witch trials of 1692 were a time of hysteria, stress, and destruction. These terrible trials took place in Massachusetts (“A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials”). During these trials, more than two hundred people were accused of being witches; 24 of them were executed (“A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials”). All these innocent people have been falsely accused. However, it is not possible to entirely blame the girls who initiated the project, as they were most likely suffering from ergot, a plant disease that affects girls and is the cause of this incident. The whole fiasco started with Reverend Parris' nine-year imprisonment. his old daughter, Betty, and his eleven-year-old orphaned niece, Abigail Williams (Schanzer 18). These girls are believed to suffer from ergot ("Part II: The Witches of Salem: Theories and Speculation"). “Ergot is a plant disease caused by the fungus Claviceps” (“Ergot – I: Introduction and History”). Although ergot on the grain looks different from the grain itself, it was so common that it was thought to be part of rye until the 1850s (Rye Ergot - I: Introduction and History). It is a decrepit disease that dates back to the Middle Ages and perhaps even ancient Greece (Ergot - I: Introduction and History). Another reason why ergot was most likely what the girls were suffering from is where they were located. . (Ergot de Seigle - I: Introduction and History). In Massachusetts, rye was grown, hence ergot (The Witches Curse). This disease was caused when people ground ergots with rye and consumed the baked good they prepared (Ergot de rye). People in ancient times called the disease “sacred fire” or “Saint Peter”. Anthon...... middle of paper ......, Arts, Sciences, People, Places | Smithsonian. Smithsonian, October 24, 2007. Web. April 3, 2014. Caporael, Linnda R. Ergotism: The Satan unleashed in Salem? Washington DC: American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1976. Print. “Ergot: History”. Ergot de Rye: History. University of Hawaii at Manoa, nd Web. April 1, 2014.Krystek, Lee. “Salem Witch Trials.” The UnMuseum - Salem Witch Trials - Part II. NP, 2006. Web. April 3, 2014.Ray, Benjamin. “Documents and books of the 17th century”. Documents and books from the 17th century. University of Virginia, 2002. Web. April 3, 2014.Schanzer, Rosalyn. Witches! : The absolutely true story of the disaster in Salem. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2011. Print. Schumann, Gail L. “Ergot de rye”. Ergot. University of Massachusetts, 2005. Web. April 3, 2014. “The witches’ curse. » PBS. PBS, 2002. Web. April 3. 2014.