A Briefe Discovrse of a Disease called the Suffocation of the Mother

"A Briefe Discovrse of a Disease called the Suffocation of the Mother" by Edward Jorden is a 17th-century exploration of a medical condition once cloaked in mystery and superstition. The book presents an early scientific challenge to beliefs about demonic possession and witchcraft by re-examining cases medically diagnosed as "the suffocation of the mother" – a mysterious disease whose frightening symptoms often led to accusations of supernatural forces. The writer, a physician, steps forward to disentangle the truth from fearful misunderstandings, urging everyone to look at grounded, observable explanations for this illness by highlighting how a sickness can mimic signs of the supernatural, and championing logical examinations over quick judgments. The narrative dispels the old tales, promising an enlightened perspective rooted in medical knowledge, advocating for comprehension of bodily functions and their disturbances rather than immediate attributions to dark magic.