Hardly less famous than Greatrakes was Johann Jacob Gassner (1727-1779). He was born at Bratz, near Bludenz, and became Roman Catholic priest at Kloesterle. He believed that most diseases were caused by evil spirits which could be exorcised by conjuration and prayer. He began practising and soon attracted attention. In 1774 he received a call from the bishop at Ratisbon to Ellwangen, where by the mere word of command, "Cesset" (Give over), he cured the lame and blind, but especially those who were afflicted with epilepsy and convulsions, and who were thereby supposed to be obsessed. His cures were not permanent in some cases, and before he died he lost power and respect. [57] A. D. White, _History of the Warfare of Science with Theology_, II, pp. 5-22. [58] W. E. H. Lecky, _History of European Morals_, I, pp. 347 f. [59] P. Dearmer, _Body and Soul_, pp. 252 f. I am indebted to this excellent book for my material on the subject of Unction, as well as for many other quotations in this chapter. [60] F. W. Puller, _Anointing of the Sick_, pp. 155-158. [61] G. F. Fort, _History of Medical Economy During the Middle Ages_, gives this and the other incidents just quoted. See pp. 155, 160, 272, 275, 327. [62] Bede, _Ecclesiastical History_, bk. V, chap. V. [63] Quoted by P. Dearmer, _Body and Soul_, p. 359. [64] J. Cotter Morison, _Life and Times of St. Bernard_, pp. 422 and 460, for this and the following incident. [65] Thomas of Celano, _Lives of St. Francis of Assisi_ (trans. A. G. F. Howell). [66] _Dublin Review_, January, 1876, pp. 8-10. [67] G. F. Fort, _History of Medical Economy During the Middle Ages_, pp. 278 f. [68] See J. Butler, _Life of St. Catharine of Siena_, for many examples. [69] See A. D. White, _History of the Warfare of Science with Theology_, already referred to. [70] Jos. Marie Cros, _St. Francois de Xavier, Sa vie et ses lettres_, II, p. 392. [71] Goerres, _La mystique divine naturelle et diabolique_ (trans. Sainte-foi), I, pp. 470-473. [72] P. J. Bacci, _Life of St. Philip Neri_ (trans. Antrobus), II, p. 168. [73] G. Fox, _Journal_, I, p. 103. [74] J. Moses, _Pathological Aspects of Religions_, p. 188. [75] E. Salverte, _The Philosophy of Magic_ (trans. Thompson), II, p. 81. CHAPTER VI TALISMANS "He had the ring of Gyges, the talisman of invisibility." --HAMERTON. "The quack astrologer offers, for five pieces, to give you home with you a Talisman against Flies; a Sigil to make you fortunate at gaining; and a Spell that shall as certainly preserve you from being rob'd for the future; a sympathetic Powder for violent pains of the Tooth-ache."--_Character of a Quack Astrologer._