by bar1scorpio » Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:00 pm
'witch' and 'poisoner' could have well been interchangeable. Alongside "quack".
Remember, introducing chalk into flour (food adulteration) was a felony in pre-revolutionary France (there were, by the way, many, many other ways of doing this, throughout history, and many could have lethal results). Much of the "clean/unclean" dietary restrictions are clearly the result of trial & error, and an attempt to stave off food born illness. (Heh, first, we introduce chalk into the flour... then, we introduce the flour into the cocaine... it's a proud history of stepping on a pure product to make money!)
In a community with little medical learning, a "witch" could be any non-educated "healer", and likely to kill their patients through malpractice as heal them. look at the modern age, where there are still trials and accusations of "witchcraft" in remote communities. Often indicating how poorly educated & superstitious these groups can be.
"Then again, I'm Gary Busey. Who knows what the f-ck I'm talking about." - Gary Busey