Vampirism—Legendary or Clinical Phenomenon?

Abstract

In this paper I shall consider the extent to which there are any substantial grounds for suggesting that there is a definite condition which some authorities have described as ‘clinical vampirism’. Such a condition, if indeed it can be said to exist, needs to be seen, not only against a background of various vampire myths and beliefs, but within the wider anthropological context of blood beliefs and rituals. Thus, in order to examine this topic we must be prepared to engage the subject matter of anthropology, mythology, folklore and demonology, as well as those disciplines that concern themselves more specifically with seriously pathological behaviour (such as forensic medicine, forensic pathology, forensic psychiatry and psychology).