Clinical Vampirism
There are a number of scientifically recognised and accepted medical conditions that have great similarities with classic physical manifestations of the "vampire".
Most of the following (excepting XP and HED) come under the general medical grouping of Porphyria, all of which are relatively rare genetic disorders:
- Xeroderma Pigmentosa (XP)
- Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia (HED)
- Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP)
- Variegate Porphyria (VP)
- Hereditary Coproporphyria (HC)
- Plumbopophyria (PP)
- Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (PCT)
- Erythropoietic Protoporphyria (EPP)
- Congenital Porphyria (CP)
Many of the above genetic conditions also feature additional symptoms. Anaemia is a common denominator, and another possible symptom is the receding of the gums (making the canine teeth appear more like fangs). Also small sores, closely resembling puncture marks, can form upon the skin. Varieties where discolouring occurs can also be apparent, including a pronounced darkness about the eyes, and dark red staining all about the mouth. Certain physical peculiarities, especially in the facial area, can also occur (I refuse to use the word "deformities" here).
Some of these genetic conditions can be diagnosed either at birth or at an otherwise very young age, as like with muscular dystrophy. Others can take years, even decades, before the relevant symptoms become apparent, as like with multiple sclerosis. Many sufferers of the above conditions have a thousand fold increase likelihood of developing specific cancers, especially in the organ of the skin, such as melanoma variants. Some of the above conditions are even terminal, the body being unable to repair tissue damage caused by the condition.
I would like to hesitatingly suggest that anyone who suffers from one of the porphyria conditions, or even XD or HED, but remains undiagnosed (especially one of the varieties that only develop in the onset of adult life) may find themselves in a confused state as to their condition. As the physical disorder worsens, and "vampire-like" symptoms develop, it is not unimaginable that such a person may begin to associate themselves personally more and more with the cultural symbol of the "vampire".
Following are a few short passages and following links relating to clinical vampirism:
PASSAGES:
1/ Porphyria as a diagnosis for vampiric myth and legend:
Their lack of medical knowledge about diseases, some of which are quite rare and hard to explain even to this day was a large factor in the
spread of vampire lore. Along with the fact that very uneducated people have always had
a tendency of being overly superstitious also contributed to the vampire legend. In 1985
Dr. David Dolphin, Ph.D., a professor of chemistry at the University of British Columbia
presented his theory that blood-drinking vampires were not vampires at all but rather
victims of a disease known as Porphyria.(Dresser, Norine. American Vampires p171) "
Porphyria is an incurable genetic disease which affects at least 50,000 patients in the U.S.
that causes sudden symptoms of severe pain , respiratory problems, Skin lesions and
sometimes death."(Dresser, Norine. American vampires p171) "Porphyria may well have
been responsible for many a vampire tale - especially since the disease is hereditary"
(Garden, Nancy. Vampires p98) A person that is affected by Porphyria can seem very
scary to the average person since the disease causes the persons gums to tighten. That
causes their teeth to be seen much more prominently as well as causing their teeth and
nails to gain a fluorescent glow.These traits could then go on to explain the fact that
many vampire stories described the vampires as giving off a greenish glow. Victims of
this disease are likely to be deformed in other ways as well but usually in the facial area.
Because of the skin lesions suffered by victims of Porphyria they are usually very
sensitive to light which would cause them to not venture out of their homes until night.
2/. HOW DO I KNOW IF ANYONE HERE IS A VAMPIRE (MYSELF INCLUDED)?
Presume that if someone claims to be a vampire, they are - even if only in their own minds. Remember that "behaviour is attitude in action" and that, probably, whoever thinks like a vampire (right or wrong) might act like a vampire. For now we'll try to avoid the question of which philosophy is correct, "to do is to be", or "to be is to do".
3/ Xeroderma pigmentosa is a life-threatening, inherited skin disorder. Individuals are born without the ability to repair damage done to their skin cells by the ultraviolet light in sunshine. They rapidly develop skin crusting, scarring, and cancers. Affected individuals must avoid all sunlight, fluorescent light, halogen light, or any other source of ultraviolet light.
4/ WHAT IS PORPHYRIA ?
Porphyria is a fairly uncommon condition. It is not one condition, but a group of several related diseases. Most of these are inherited but some may be acquired. People with porphyria may develop skin problems or a condition known as the acute attack. In all the porphyria, the basic dilemma is that excessive amounts of porphyrins and their precursors accumulate in the body. It is under-diagnosed [my emphasis - Brian]. Many sufferers are completely asymptomatic. All living things, including healthy people produce porphyrins. In porphyria, there is an atypical accumulation of porphyrins as the result of enzyme defects; this results in illness. Our bodies convert two simple substances, 5-aminolaevulinate (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG) known as porphyrin precursors, into more complicated substances called porphyrins. These are then converted from one type of porphyrin to the next to form haem. Haem is a vital substance in our bodies. Protoporphyrin together with Iron are the building blocks necessary to make haem. Each step on the pathway is completed by a special protein known as an enzyme. In each type of porphyria, a specific enzyme is deficient, and this is why porphyrins accumulate
The acute attack takes place when the levels of the porphyrin precursors become very much raised for one or other reason. One can think of this as an overloading of the body with porphyrins and their precursors. During such an attack, the affected person may experience abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, nausea or vomiting. They may also show marked anxiety or disturbed behaviour.
Such attacks can be bad enough to require admission to hospital, and the most severe cases may go on to weakness and paralysis. People have even died of such an attack.
LINKS:
1/Xeroderma Pigmentosum
http://www.emedicine.com/DERM/topic462.htm
Pediatric Database:
http://www.icondata.com/health/pedbase/files/XERODERM.HTM
Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society, Inc.
http://www.xps.org/
2/ Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
http://www.readersdigesthealth.com/kbase/nord/nord322.htm
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria Research
http://www.bwh.partners.org/cgi-view/homepage.py?dept_id=7298&rso_abbrev=bwh
3/ Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia
Support Society:
http://www.hedfoundation.org/
Medical classification and symptoms
http://www.icondata.com/health/pedbase/files/HYPOHIDR.HTM
Description from the National Organisation for Rare Disorders
http://www.stepstn.com/cgi-win/nord.exe?proc=Redirect&type=rdb_sum&id=804.htm
United States library of medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/jablonski/syndromes/syndrome356.html
