Rabies: a possible explanation for the vampire legend.
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.
Gómez-Alonso
J
J
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Xeral, Vigo (Galicia), Spain.
D000818:Animals; D005060:Europe; D049671:History, 18th Century; D006801:Humans; D009229:Mythology; D011818:Rabies / Q000266:history* / Q000503:physiopathology