the year 1692 is noted mostly for the salem excitement regarding witchcraft. the children of rev. mr. parris were attacked with some peculiar disease which would not yield to the soothing blisters and bleedings administered by the physicians of the old school, and so, not knowing exactly what to do about it, the doctors concluded that they were bewitched. then it was, of course, the duty of the courts and selectmen to hunt up the witches. this was naturally difficult.