title: The outbreak of mass allegations of Satanist child abuse in the parish of Rättvik, Sweden, 1670-71: two texts by Gustav J. Elvius.
abstract: During recent decades, interpretation of mass allegations fo Satanist child abductions have challenged psychiatrists and mental health professionals in the Western world. It has been argued that a useful perspective on this phenomenon ay be gained from a study of historical parallels from countries such as Spain, Germany and Sweden. The texts translated below are an eyewitness account of the witch panic in Rättvik 1670-71 and a letter of 1671, both written by the Reverend Gustav Elvius.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Clinical Research, Central Hospital of Västerås. Email: rickard.sjoberg@ltvastmanland.se
authors.forename: Rickard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000266:history*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006801:Humans; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history*; D013548:Sweden; D018599:Witchcraft / Q000266:history*