Journal of Vampirology - 1984 - Vol 1 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: JOURNAL OF VAMPIROLOGY
Issue: VOL. I, NO. 1
Date: 1984
Publisher: John L. Vellutini
Country: USA
Price: $2.00 (single copy)

This inaugural issue of the Journal of Vampyrology, published in 1984, aims to establish a serious, scientific approach to the study of vampirism. The editorial board expresses a desire to fill the void left by the demise of the "Journal of Vampirism" and to address the phenomenon in both its traditional and contemporary forms. The publication emphasizes that while it solicits articles, it is not an open invitation for fantasies or a correspondence club for those with an interest in vampirism. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards sensationalized accounts and dilettantism, advocating for a rationalistic approach grounded in scientific inquiry.

Editorial

The editorial welcomes readers to the first issue, stating the journal's intention to cover the broad spectrum of fact, opinion, and controversy surrounding vampirism. It acknowledges the loss of the "Journal of Vampirism" and aims to remedy the lack of information for serious researchers. The editor clarifies that while all articles pertinent to vampirism are welcome, the journal is not a platform for "crazy or crackpot" ideas or a dating service for "single vampires." The editorial highlights the prevalence of dilettantes, impostors, and psychotics in the field, and criticizes some "vampirologists" for sensationalizing the subject and treating it more like sexology than serious study. The editor admits to being a skeptic, viewing claims of centuries-old vampires with suspicion due to inconsistencies. However, the editor is open to the possibility of vampires being a "mutant strain of the human race" but expects some conformity in behavior. The editorial welcomes current theories suggesting medical causes for vampirism, such as bubonic plague, genetic mutation, pernicious anemia, porphyria, rabies, or pathogenic anaerobic bacteria. It cautions against reductionist explanations like premature burial or mass psychosis, while also warning against blind credulity, stressing the importance of an open mind.

Further restrictions are outlined: poetry, cartoons, and reviews of movies or literature concerning vampirism are outside the scope of the newsletter. The editor requests that submissions be free of puns, which are deemed "boorish, sophomoric" and detrimental to the acceptance of vampirology as a serious subject. The editorial concludes by expressing gratitude to Larry Gone and Alex Sandler for their support and to the editor's sister, Joan, for her assistance in composing the newsletter.

The Epidemiology of Human Vampirism: Rabies

This section delves into the potential connection between rabies and the vampire legend. Rabies, a viral infection of the central nervous system transmitted through bites or scratches, is described as widespread and capable of infecting all mammals. The "street" variety is the most common, with symptoms including hydrophobia, pharyngeal spasms, dysphagia, aerophobia, mental derangement, and priapism. In its extreme "furious" phase, rabies can cause violent behavior, mimicking the infective animal source. Historically, individuals with rabies were sometimes "humanely dispatched" or subjected to dunking in water as a supposed cure, measures that invariably failed.

The theory linking rabies to the vampire legend was proposed by Dr. David J. Garwes and elaborated by Bruce Wallace. Both emphasize bats, particularly vampire species, as reservoirs for the disease. Wallace suggests that vampirism may have originated during glacial periods in Europe when humans sought refuge in caves inhabited by bats. Transmission from rabid bats to early humans could have occurred through handling, attacks, or aerosol transfer, leading afflicted individuals to isolate themselves, exhibiting behaviors akin to vampire lore. The belief that victims of vampiric attacks sicken and die, sometimes returning as vampires, is compared to the 100% fatality rate of rabies in former times. Symptoms like lassitude and loss of appetite are also noted as characteristic of bat-transmitted rabies.

Hydrophobia, a classic symptom of rabies, is suggested as the origin of the vampire's fear of running water. The manical strength attributed to vampires is compared to that of persons in the furious phase of rabies. Both vampires and rabid individuals can transmit a fatal toxin through bites. Even without a bite, the transmission of rabies through aerosols in bat caves is a potential hazard. Rabid bats' occasional diurnal behavior might explain the comparison of vampires to "the noon-day devil."

However, the article critically examines this theory. It points out that the vampire bat of the New World is restricted to the Americas, while the belief in vampires flourished in Europe, where rabid bats attacking humans are rare. The theory that vampires transformed into bats was geographically limited, and rabies in European bats is considered a recent phenomenon. The confusion is largely attributed to Bram Stoker's "Dracula," which combined the New World vampire bat with the Old World legend, creating a "major blemish" on the vampire myth. The article suggests that the wolf, a traditional animal form associated with vampires and a known vector of rabies in Europe, might have provided a more valid basis for the legend. The "Beast of Gevaudan" incident is cited as an example of a wolf-like creature terrorizing a region.

Rabid wolves continue to pose a threat, with examples from Iran and Romania cited. The article notes that rabid wolves inflict "horribly mutilated" bites randomly, unlike the more focused, blood-draining attacks attributed to vampires. The editor is inclined to believe that the vampire's hydrophobic tendencies are a later addition to the legend, possibly borrowed from witchcraft lore, and that salt, rather than water, might be the crucial factor in deterring vampires, possibly due to its prophylactic properties against evil spirits or its bactericidal qualities.

Another inconsistency highlighted is that victims of vampiric attacks often show symptoms of paralytic rabies, while the vampire is associated with street rabies. The article concludes that while rabies may have contributed to certain aspects of the vampire legend, the basic premise linking the two is flawed.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the attempt to establish a scientific and rational basis for the study of vampirism, moving away from folklore and sensationalism. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical yet open-minded, prioritizing evidence-based inquiry over unsubstantiated claims. The issue advocates for viewing vampirism through a lens of potential medical or biological causes, such as rabies or pathogenic bacteria, rather than purely supernatural explanations. There is a strong emphasis on distinguishing between genuine research and dilettantism, with a clear rejection of "puns" and "sensationalized efforts" that undermine the credibility of vampirology. The journal positions itself as a serious academic pursuit, distinct from fictional portrayals or pseudoscientific speculation.

This issue of the Journal of Vampirology, identified as Volume 1, Issue 11, published by Beta Publications Ltd., delves into the multifaceted nature of vampirism. The cover features an illustration of a rabid dog, hinting at one of the central themes explored within the publication.

The Vampire Legend and Rabies

The issue critically examines the potential links between the vampire legend and rabies. It posits that while rabies might explain certain aspects of vampire folklore, its overall contribution was likely minor. The text discusses the possibility that bats, which can transmit rabies, might have been an unrecognized reservoir of the disease in 17th-century Eastern Europe. A notable coincidence mentioned is a severe rabies outbreak in Hungary in 1732, occurring during a period of reported vampire epidemics. The author expresses hesitation in completely dismissing rabies as a factor, suggesting that garlic, believed to be a prophylactic against rabid dogs, may play a crucial role in understanding vampirism.

Occult Theories and Supernatural Explanations

Beyond biological explanations, the journal explores occult theories. One theory proposes that vampires project an astral or etheric body from their graves to interact with the living, unhindered by their physical state. This concept, termed a 'thanatic body' by Benjamin Walker, is contrasted with the 'out-of-the-body experiences' of the living. Z.T. Pierart, a 19th-century spiritualist, is quoted describing how such an ethereal form can wander freely and feed on victims, transmitting sustenance back to the body to maintain a state of catalepsy. Adolphe D'Assier's work on 'ectoplasmic doppelgangers' is also referenced as a similar concept.

Debunking Misconceptions and Examining Modern Accounts

The publication addresses contemporary claims about vampirism, particularly those found in tabloids. It highlights an article from "Close-Up on Crime" (August 1981) that sensationalized "American Vampires" or "Killer Vampires." Vampire expert Dr. Stephen Kaplan is featured, claiming that thousands of people are killed annually by vampires, whom he believes are creatures requiring human blood due to a genetic mutation. Kaplan suggests that these modern vampires may hold positions in national governments and have existed for centuries. The issue also touches upon psychological interpretations, with psychiatrists Richard L. Vanden Bergh and John F. Kelly suggesting that some cases of vampirism stem from a deranged person's desire to satisfy a 'crazed lust' through blood consumption. Professor Leonard Wolf of San Francisco State College is also mentioned for his interviews with individuals who believe blood is vital for survival and engage in blood-sucking for sexually connected reasons.

Several common misconceptions about vampires are debunked based on Kaplan's eight-year investigation: vampires are not invulnerable to weapons, do not change shape into bats or wolves, do not sleep in coffins, and garlic is only effective if eaten, not worn as a ward.

Notable Incidents and Research

The issue references specific events, such as the 1732 rabies outbreak in Hungary. It also mentions a case from New Jersey where the bodies of a man and woman were found with no blood, a detail attributed to a potential vampire attack. The article "What The Newspapers Say" reports on a San Francisco Chronicle article from January 23, 1984, detailing hundreds of bats invading a junior high school gymnasium in northern Florida, with up to 40 percent potentially rabid. Pest control efforts to remove the bats were unsuccessful, leading to consideration of fumigation.

Organizations and Future Content

The "Organization Update" section provides information on various groups dedicated to the study of vampirism and related phenomena. These include the Count Dracula Society, Count Dracula Fan Club, Vampire Research Center, Vampire Information Exchange, Vampire Studies Society, Conspiracy Tracker, Crypt of Cthulhu, and Mutilation Data Center. Contact information, membership details, and a brief description of their focus are provided for each.

The "Coming Attractions" section outlines potential future articles for the "Journal of Vampirology," covering topics such as the "Epidemiology of Human Vampirism," the role of garlic, extraterrestrial origins of vampirism, and the connection between vampirism and historical events like the 30 Year War. Readers are encouraged to submit their own articles.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the historical and mythological aspects of vampirism, its potential connections to biological phenomena like rabies, and contemporary interpretations and sensationalism. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, exploring various theories from occult and psychological perspectives while also grounding discussions in scientific and historical research, as evidenced by the extensive bibliography and the debunking of common myths. The publication aims to provide a comprehensive overview of vampirism, encouraging further research and reader contributions.

Title: Journal of Vampirology
Date: Undetermined
Character: This document appears to be the cover or a preliminary page of a publication focused on the study of vampires and related folklore. The masthead clearly states "Journal of Vampirology".

Content

The visible content consists of the publication's title, "Journal of Vampirology", and contact information. It indicates that correspondence should be directed to John L. Vellutini at P.O. Box 881631, San Francisco, California, 94188-1631. The cover is adorned with a striking black and white illustration of a bat with its wings fully extended, a motif strongly associated with vampires. The background of the page is a distinct orange hue.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Based on the title and imagery, the publication's primary theme is undoubtedly vampirology, encompassing the study of vampires, their mythology, folklore, and potentially related phenomena. The editorial stance, as suggested by the title, is academic or investigative in nature, focusing on the subject of vampirism.