31. Polissena of San Macario had epilepsy, and so the town of Lucca burned her at the stake
The debate over where demonic possession starts and genuine illness begins is still debated in some quarters today. Polissena of San Macario suffered from epilepsy, and had horrific fits. Sometimes she went catatonic (temporarily immobile), rolled her eyes back, convulsed, or shrieked. Polissena always recovered afterwards, and told people she was ill. But to onlookers, this was clearly demonic possession, and in 1571 she was tried for witchcraft. Under torture, she confessed to the usual litany of infanticide, kissing the devil’s bottom, and flying. On this basis, the town of Lucca in Tuscany burned Polissena at the stake.
