Contents: Marie Madeleine de Brinvilliers, her life, trial and death; poison drama at the court of Louis XIV: sorceresses: dinner of La Vigoreux, sorcery in the 17th century, practices of the witches, alchemists, La Voisin, magician Lesage, "Chambre Ardente," Louis XIV and the poison affair, Madame de Montespan; a magistrate, Gabriel de la Reynie; death of 'Madame'; Racine and the poison affair; 'La Devineresse'.