4731. [4733] CONCERNING SPIRITS WHO INDUCE DISEASES. ((((There were with me spirits of such a character that they produced a most grievous vomiting of the stomach, to such a degree, that I seemed scarce able to survive. It was of such an evil-smelling character, that it could have induced swoons on others: indeed, there was a feebleness of the vital powers; thus, it was, as it were, accompanied with the swoons of death. I perceived that it was the spirits who were with me who induced it; and I was instructed that they were such as, in the life of the body, had been devoted to no employment, not even domestic, but only to pleasure, chiefly that of eating, and were delighted with that alone. They had not known what were the domestic or other employments, which pertain to man or wife. Such, in the other life, become of such a character; and this after several centuries. They then possess so little vitality, that they cannot be driven away by any persuasion, but remain where they are, immovable, like certain insects. It was said that they cannot be driven away, save by the Lord; and that, if they are not driven away, they induce death on man. They are almost insensible. Such spirits sometimes come among sick men, and hence death befalls the sick; and it was stated, that to diseases amongst men, there pertain spirits of this and other kinds, who induce and aggravate the diseases.))))