Nider explained that females were capable of such acts by pointing out what he considered their inferior physical, mental, and moral capacity.
[4] The work is further of note for its information regarding notably infamous figures of the time, one of whom was the sorcerer Scavius, who reputedly escaped his enemies on multiple occasions by metamorphosing into a mouse.
Many of the stories relating to witchcraft take place in the Simme Valley and were told to Nider by Peter of Bern, who had conducted many witch trials in the region.
[8] French cleric Nicolas Amici told Nider an account of the trial of Joan of Arc during the council as well.
The student is presented as a curious but lazy individual who is there primarily to prompt the theologian to recount contemporary stories related to the book's many themes.
[11] The fourth book deals with the virtues of saints and other holy people, using the stages of an ant's life cycle.
According to Bailey, Nider was much more focused on reform in general, which was opposed by demons, who worked their opposition through subservient witches.
Nider presents reform and proper adherence to Dominican rites as the surest counter to witchcraft.