Possible Origins Of The Vampire Legend: An Accidental Exploration Of The Human Psyche

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in the collective unconscious, especially since it was thought that vampires spread the disease. When people began to die in great numbers, graves became in greater demand, and dead bodies would be left out for days at a time. Eventually, the body would decompose and exhibit what is called "skin slippage", where the top layer of skin would begin to flake away, making the hair and nails appear to have grown. Also, as the insides of the body began to decompose, blood would escape the mouth and the body would bloat with gases, making the corpse appear to be full of the blood of his victims( pathway1)
Another condition that is strikingly similar to our modern conception of vampires is Poryphyria. With this condition, the victim of this hereditary blood disease would not be able to produce enough heme, a vital component of red blood. Without this chemical, the victim would develop an extreme sensitivity to sunlight, grow hair excessively, and exhibit a tightening of the lips and ...

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