ACUFOS Journal vol 5 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: The Journal of the Australian Centre for UFO Studies
Issue: Volume 5, Number 1
Date: January/February 1984
Publisher: ACUFOS (Australian Centre for UFO Studies)
Country: Australia

This issue of the journal focuses on the evolving nature of ufology, exploring scientific theories related to the origin of life and disease, and examining the classification of UFO phenomena.

Editorial: UFOLOGY: THE PERSONAL ELEMENT by John Prytz

The editorial argues that UFO research, while often dismissed as a hobby, holds significant potential for society. It posits that the study of UFOs is not merely about interesting phenomena but can lead to profound insights into the human spirit, our world, and potentially other worlds. The author contends that ufologists are engaged in a significant research project, comparable to those in other scientific fields, and that their work is important.

The Changing Shape of Ufology by Cassandra Sowiak-Rudej

This article examines the evolution of UFO classification systems, comparing those developed by Jacques Vallee (1966), J. Allen Hynek (1972), and ACUFOS (1976). The author notes a significant shift, particularly the increased emphasis on categories related to occupants or entities, a departure from earlier systems that focused more on the physical characteristics and movements of UFOs. Vallee's system, for instance, condensed many earlier observations, while Hynek's and ACUFOS's systems introduced specific categories for 'Close Encounters' and 'Entity Reports'. The article discusses potential reasons for these changes, including a broader acceptance of previously 'taboo' subjects, a genuine increase in entity sightings, an evolution of the 'UFO fantasy' in the collective consciousness, or simply the subjective biases of the system creators. The author suggests that the exclusion of contactee cases from some systems might be a limitation, and proposes that it might be time to reconsider the scope of ufology.

Comment on "The Changing Shape of Ufology" by Frank Gillespie

Frank Gillespie comments on Cassandra Sowiak-Rudej's article, focusing on contactee cases. He highlights the mutual exclusiveness of contactee accounts, suggesting that if one is accepted as genuine, others must be discarded due to significant incompatibilities. Gillespie agrees with Sowiak-Rudej that contactee cases should be brought within the ambit of ufology, even if their accounts are fabricated by the entities they claim to encounter.

COMET FLU REVISITED by John Prytz

This article explores the implications of the panspermia hypothesis, proposed by Sir Fred Hoyle and N. Chandra Wickramasinghe, which suggests that life originated from cometary bodies seeding Earth. Prytz argues that if this theory is correct, the prevalence of life and extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) in the universe would be significantly higher, thus bolstering the UFO extraterrestrial hypothesis (ETH). Beyond the implications for ETI, the article also connects this theory to the origin and spread of diseases. Prytz presents a survey of newspaper reports from 1978 to 1983, highlighting numerous instances of mysterious, unexplained, or unusually occurring diseases in humans and animals. These include cases of pneumonia, flu strains, dog diseases (canine parvovirus), pig diseases, and human illnesses like Creutzfeld-Jakob disease and Legionnaires' disease. The author suggests that these outbreaks, with their unexplained origins and rapid spread, could be evidence of 'germs from the skies,' consistent with the Hoyle-Wickramasinghe theory and potentially linked to cometary activity or extraterrestrial influences.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the scientific and philosophical underpinnings of ufology, the classification of UFO phenomena, and the potential extraterrestrial origins of both life and disease. The editorial stance, as articulated by John Prytz, is that UFO research is a significant and important field of inquiry with profound implications for our understanding of ourselves and the universe. The journal appears to embrace a broad, inclusive approach to ufology, willing to consider unconventional theories and phenomena, such as the panspermia hypothesis and the inclusion of contactee cases, as potentially valid areas of study.

This issue of UFO Round-Up, identified by the number '10', focuses on a series of mysterious illnesses reported across Australia and internationally. The cover headline prominently features 'MYSTERY ILLNESSES', with sub-headlines highlighting 'Strange new eye disease' and 'Puzzling illness kills 38 Asian migrants in US'. The content delves into various unexplained medical phenomena, suggesting a broader pattern of unusual ailments.

Mystery Illnesses in Australia

The magazine details several perplexing medical events within Australia. In Wanganella, NSW, an 'unidentified disease' struck schoolchildren and babies, causing temporary blindness and swollen eyes. A property-worker's wife, Mrs. Jan Hardie, reported her son's eyes were so swollen he couldn't see, and doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause.

Another significant case involved approximately 50 Werribee school children who were affected by a mystery illness during a school camp. The Health Commission investigated the possibility of insecticide poisoning, but no positive identification was made. The children's symptoms, which did not include vomiting or diarrhea, suggested something other than normal food poisoning. Despite extensive testing, the cause remained a mystery, with the illness baffling doctors.

In Queensland, a 'mystery virus' swept through Brisbane's stables, seriously disrupting the winter racing carnival. Prominent veterinarian Mr Fred Manahan identified it as a new type of equine influenza.

Later in 1980, a 'mystery illness' killed four pacers, including the promising youngster Quamby's Pride. The trainer, Henry McDermott, expressed bewilderment, stating, 'I've got no idea how they died. It's got me beaten.' The local veterinary diagnostic centre had not yet determined the cause.

International Mystery Illnesses

The issue also reports on similar unexplained illnesses occurring abroad. Shortly after the Werribee incident, seven children in England were hospitalized with a 'mystery ailment' at a junior band carnival. A total of 290 people required hospital treatment, and another 200 received attention at the showgrounds. Detective Inspector Eric Hogden described the situation as a 'complete mystery', ruling out food poisoning and mass hysteria.

In northern NSW, Australia, doctors were struggling to identify the source of cholera that struck down an elderly couple. The victims, Mr & Mrs Hill, were admitted to Lismore Base Hospital. The outbreak puzzled medical professionals as the couple had not left their rural property for weeks and had no contact with anyone who had been overseas. Despite investigations, specialists were no closer to finding the source. A follow-up report a year later confirmed that the Health Commission had been unable to trace the source of the cholera outbreak.

Further afield, Portuguese authorities were concerned about an illness affecting workers at a government agricultural testing centre near Lisbon. Workers developed lumps under their left ribs, accompanied by gastric disorders and general weakness. This 'Oeiras Syndrome' affected 12 workers, causing disturbance due to the inability of doctors to diagnose the illness or its cause.

Emerging Diseases and Scientific Perspectives

The article touches upon broader trends in disease, referencing Professor W.I.B. Beveridge's warning about widespread outbreaks of new types of severe flu. He noted that influenza is the last of the known great plagues and that there is no effective way to control it. He also cited examples of viral diseases that 'arose suddenly as if from nowhere', including the parvo virus disease in dogs.

Another alarming report detailed the deaths of thirty-eight South-East Asian refugees in the US from a sudden, mysterious ailment. Dr Roy Baron, a medical epidemiologist, described it as a 'distinct syndrome not seen here before', noting the abruptness of the deaths.

The issue also mentions the emergence of the 'gay plague' in America, later medically termed AIDS, highlighting its mysterious nature and high mortality rate. The article notes that while the disease was prevalent among American male homosexuals, cases also appeared in other groups.

Finally, the text briefly mentions the 'Slapped Cheek Syndrome' in Australia, an unexplained virus likely airborne, and concludes with a quote from the Australian newspaper stating that 'Modern medicine...has proved disturbingly incapable of developing cures for mysterious 'new' diseases.'

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the prevalence and enigmatic nature of unexplained illnesses. The editorial stance appears to be one of documenting these phenomena, highlighting the limitations of current medical and scientific understanding in diagnosing and explaining these outbreaks. The inclusion of numerous newspaper clippings and references suggests a compilation of evidence pointing towards a pattern of unusual and mysterious diseases affecting both humans and animals, prompting questions about their origins and potential connections, possibly hinting at extraterrestrial or panspermia-related causes, as suggested by the magazine's title and the inclusion of related references at the end of the document.