Johann Weyer
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Biography of Johann Weyer (1515–1588), a German physician and humanist who argued that women accused of witchcraft were actually suffering from mental illness such as melancholia. His 1563 book against witch trials is highlighted as a remarkable cultural monument of the 16th century.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
WEYER, Johann (Johann Weyer, Latin Wierus, Wier, Wyer, 1515–88), German physician, pupil of Agrippa von Nettesheim, one of the most enlightened men of the 16th century, who lived at the height of the famous witch trials when thousands of women perished at the stakes of the Inquisition upon the slightest denunciation. Weyer argued that witches were mostly "unfortunate women suffering from melancholia" and vigorously opposed ignorance and superstition. His book «De praestigiis daemonum et incantationibus ac veneficiis» (Basileae, 1563) is one of the remarkable cultural monuments of that time.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Johann Weyer.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/johann-weyer/