The sick being brought and laid upon the tombstone, many were cured.

Wonderful stories were attested by eye-witnesses.

The myth-making tendency--the passion for developing, enlarging, and spreading tales of wonder--came into full play and was given free course.
Many thoughtful men satisfied themselves of the truth of these representations.

One of the foremost English scholars came over, examined into them, and declared that there could be no doubt as to the reality of the cures.
This state of things continued for about four years, when, in 1731, more violent effects showed themselves.

Sundry persons approaching the tomb were thrown into convulsions, hysterics, and catalepsy; these diseases spread, became epidemic, and soon multitudes were similarly afflicted.
Both religious parties made the most of these cases.