Popular Superstitions, and the Truths Contained Therein
"In the following Letters I have endeavoured to exhibit in their true light the singular natural phenomena of which old superstition and modern charlatanism in turn availed themselves—to indicate their laws, and to develop their theory." (from the Preface of the book)
In 14 letters, British physiologist Herbert Mayo (1796-1852) is giving the reader an overview of popular superstitions of previous times, like vampirism, somnambulism or even ghost sightings, and exposing how in previous times they were treated with fear, ignorance and intolerance, often leading to crime, while he endeavours to give rational explanations for the phenomena with the goal to find treatments and cures for the afflicted.
- Summary by Sonia
Genre(s): Psychology, Social Science (Culture & Anthropology)
Language: English
| Section | Chapter | Reader | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play 00 | Prefatory Remarks | Sonia |
00:02:46 |
| Play 01 | Letter I - The Divining Rod | Marta A |
00:38:54 |
| Play 02 | Letter II - Vampyrism | Jim Locke |
00:37:51 |
| Play 03 | Letter III - Unreal Ghosts | Jim Locke |
00:33:48 |
| Play 04 | Letter IV - True Ghosts | Jim Locke |
00:30:08 |
| Play 05 | Letter V - Trance | Jim Locke |
00:24:28 |
| Play 06 | Letter VI - Trance-sleep | Greg Giordano |
00:15:42 |
| Play 07 | Letter VII - Half-waking Trance, or Somnambulism | Greg Giordano |
00:20:33 |
| Play 08 | Letter VIII - Trance-waking | Jean Coleman |
00:40:10 |
| Play 09 | Letter IX - Religious Delusions | Jim Locke |
00:35:48 |
| Play 10 | Letter X - Mesmerism | Owlivia |
00:42:39 |
| Play 11 | Letter XI - Supplemental | Jim Locke |
01:07:00 |
| Play 12 | Letter XII - The Odometer or Divining Ring | Jim Locke |
00:21:39 |
| Play 13 | Letter XIII - The Solution | Jim Locke |
00:47:22 |
| Play 14 | Letter XIV - Hypnotism. Trance Umbra | Jim Locke |
00:24:45 |
| Play 15 | Conclusion | Sonia |
00:02:46 |