FOXSYLVANIA

—MonsterQuest reports that New England, in addition to giving us the Salem witchcraft trials and the Kennedys, also had quite a vampire scare in the 18th and 19th centuries.  Some of those suspected of being vampires even had their mortal remains dug up and mutilated, as in the case presented of J.B., whose femurs (thighbones) were crossed in an “X” over his chest in addition to having his head removed from his spinal column and his ribs broken.  This was all in an effort to break the supposed “grasp of the vampire,” their alledged curse upon and conversion of the living.  Many of the poor souls thought to be vampires in actuality had “consumption,” which we now refer to as tuberculosis. In the late stages of that highly infectious disease, blood would be coughed up and appear on the lips, leading to speculations of blood-drinking.

The show also presented many other aspects of vampirism, including a discussion on the so-called “psychic vampires,” who supposedly don’t drink blood but rather feed off life and psychic energies.  I, for one, can vouch that being in the presence of some individuals leaves me feeling utterly drained…

But as for me, give me a good ole werewolf over a vampire anyday!