Rabies May Have Inspired Vampire Legend

Mistaken for blood-thirsty ghouls, 18th century European rabies victims may have been the inspiration for the vampire legend. Neat article, just in time for Halloween!

Source: http://www.personalmd.com/news/a1998092105.shtml

Not only do people with rabies have symptoms strikingly similar to the traits ascribed to vampires, but the vampire legend also originated in eastern Europe in the 18th century — the site of a major rabies outbreak in the 1720s, according to the study.

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