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Epidemic hysteria in Virginia: the case of the phantom gasser of 1933-1934
1Department of Psychology and Sociology, James Cook University of North Queensland, Australia.
Objective:
We studied an example of epidemic hysteria occurring outside a closed community and involving fear of being "gassed." The description presented is that of a previously unrecorded case of epidemic hysteria in the state of Virginia during 1933-1934.
Data Sources:
Data were gathered from contemporary newspaper accounts.
Conclusion:
The case of the Virginia "gasser" is one in a long series of epidemic hysteria incidents during the 20th century, coinciding with heightened awareness of environmental pollution and triggered by imaginary or exaggerated contamination threats. A recommendation is provided on how physicians should approach such episodes.
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