One of the most cruel features in the prosecution of the witchcraft trials, and which was practised in all countries where they took place, was the examination of the bodies of the prisoners by a jury of the same sex, under the direction and in the presence of a surgeon or physician.  The person was wholly exposed, and every part subjected to the most searching scrutiny.  The process was always an outrage upon human nature; and in the cases of the victims on this occasion, many of them of venerable years and delicate feelings, it was shocking to every natural and instinctive sentiment.  There is reason to fear that it was often conducted in a rough, coarse, and brutal manner.  Marshal Herrick testifies, that, “by order of Their Majesties’ justices,” he, accompanied by the jail-keeper Dounton, and Constable Joseph Neal, made an examination of the body of George Jacobs.  In persons of his great age, there would, in all likelihood, be shrivelled, desiccated, and callous places.  They found one on the old man, under his right shoulder.  Herrick made oath that it was a veritable witch teat, and his deposition describes it as follows:  “About a quarter of an inch long or better, with a sharp point drooping downwards, so that I took a pin, and run it through the said teat; but there was neither water, blood, or corruption, nor any other matter.”  As proof positive that this was “the Devil’s mark,” Herrick and the turnkey testify that “the said Jacobs was not in the least sensible of what had been done”!

The mind loathes the thought of handling in this way refined and sensitive females of matronly character, or persons of either sex, with infirmities of body rendered sacred by years.  The results of the examination were reduced to written reports, going into details, and, among other evidences in the trials, spread before the Court and jury.[A]

[Footnote A:  A few days before her trial, Rebecca Nurse was subjected to this inspection and exploration; and the jury of women found the witch-mark upon her.  On the 28th of June, two days before the meeting of the Court, she addressed to that body the following communication:—­

     “To the Honored Court of Oyer and Terminer, now sitting in
     Salem, this 28th of June, Anno 1692.

“The humble petition of Rebecca Nurse, of Salem Village, humbly showeth:  That whereas some women did search your petitioner at Salem, as I did then conceive for some supernatural mark; and then one of the said women, which is known to be the most ancient, skilful, prudent person of them all as to any such concern, did express herself to be of a contrary opinion from the rest, and did then declare that she saw nothing in or about Your Honor’s poor petitioner but what might arise from a natural cause,—­I there rendered the said persons a sufficient known reason as to myself of the moving cause thereof, which was by exceeding weaknesses, descending partly from an overture of nature, and difficult exigencies