Rabies: a possible explanation for the vampire legend.
expert_opinion · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 9748039.
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Abstract
In the 18th century, belief in vampires--allegedly dead persons who left their graves and killed people and animals--raised great concern in the Balkans and an extensive debate in Europe. This historic phenomenon still awaits a comprehensive explanation. This article proposes that rabies may have played a key role in the development of the vampire legend, given the coincident time of the phenomena and the striking similarities between them.
Medical subject headings
- Mythology
- Rabies