Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mass Hysteria Through the Ages: From St. Vitus Dance to Mystery Odors

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Havana Syndrome

Abstract

This chapter looks at the appearance of mass psychogenic illness throughout history and how it changes to reflect the prevailing fears of each age. Outbreaks of demonic possession in medieval European nunneries mirrored the fear of witches and demons. Secular outbreaks of twitching, shaking, and trance states in rigid school settings in Germany, France and Switzerland became common during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in response to the new educational philosophy of mental discipline which generated student frustration and anxiety with the introduction of tedious writing drills and a curriculum dominated by rote memorization. The most common contemporary trigger involves the detection of a mysterious order that is believed to pose an immediate health threat. A key component of outbreaks is plausibility. The historical backdrop of the episode was pivotal including the long history of harassment and surveillance of American diplomats by Cuban agents. Within this hostile, foreign work environment, embassy staff began to redefine the mundane sounds of mating insects and vague illness symptoms, as being caused by nefarious agents from Cuba or their allies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 29.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 37.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Geertz C. The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books; 1973. p. 5.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Carson R. Silent spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin; 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wessely S, Hyams K, Bartholomew RE. Psychological implications of chemical and biological weapons. BMJ. 2001;323(7318):878–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lellman L. Suspicious incident forces subway’s closing. Rutland Daily Herald (VT). 10 Oct 2001;Sect. A:3.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Meyer J. Subway spill sends jitters across world. Journal-Gazette. Fort Wayne (IN). 10 Oct 2001;Sect. 2:A.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Smothers M. Mysterious malady strikes kids on bus. Journal Star (Peoria, IL). 19 May 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bartholomew RE, Sirois F. Occupational mass psychogenic illness: a transcultural perspective. Transcult Psychiatry. 2000;37(4):495–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bartholomew RE, Sirois F. Epidemic hysteria in schools: an international and historical overview. Educ Stud. 1996;22(3):285–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Abdul Rahman T. As I see it... will the hysteria return? The New Straits Times. 6 July 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Hysterical pupils take schoolmates hostage. The New Straits Times. 19 May 1987. p. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hysteria: schoolgirls ‘confess.’ The New Straits Times. 21 May 1987. p. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hysteria blamed on ‘evil spirits:’ school head wants the ghosts to go. The New Straits Times. 23 May 1987. p. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Council to meet over hysteria stricken girls. The New Straits Times. 24 May 1987. p. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Seven girls scream for blood: hysterical outbursts continue. The New Straits Times. 25 May 1987. p. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Interview: Fatimah, ‘I only fulfilled my parents wishes.’ The New Straits Times. 31 May 1987. p. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  16. ‘I can’t believe it, says pupil.’ The New Straits Times. 31 May 1987. p. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Bartholomew RE, Rickard B. Mass hysteria in schools: a worldwide history since 1566. Jefferson: McFarland; 2014. p. 87–8.

    Google Scholar 

  18. The feeling of suffocation and/or experiencing pressure on the chest are a common theme in ‘night hag’ tales of sleep paralysis in North America. Refer to: Hufford D. The terror that comes in the night. Philadelphia (PA): University of Pennsylvania Press; 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Maines RP. The technology of orgasm: ‘hysteria,’ the vibrator, and women’s sexual satisfaction. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press; 2001. p. 23.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Gordon BL. Medieval and renaissance medicine. New York: Philosophical Library; 1959. p. 562.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Perhaps the best known of these works is: Huxley A. The devils of Loudun. New York: Harper and Brothers; 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Darnton R. The great cat massacre and other episodes in French cultural history. New York: Basic Books; 1984. p. 83–4.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Madden RR. Phantasmata or illusions and fanaticisms of protean forms productive of great evils, vol. 2. London: T.C. Newby; 1857.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sluhovsky M. Believe not every spirit: possession, mysticism, & discernment in early modern catholicism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 2008. p. 238.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Robbins RH. The encyclopedia of witchcraft and demonology. New York: Crown; 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Hecker JF. Epidemics of the middle ages. London: The Sydenham Society; 1844.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Guiley RE. The encyclopedia of witches and witchcraft. 2nd ed. New York: Checkmark Books; 1999. p. 7.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Görres J. La mystique divine, naturelle et diabolique, vol. 5. Paris: Poussielgue-Rusand; 1855. p. 328.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Calmeil LF. De la folie, consideree sous le point de vue pathologique, philosophique, historique et judiciaire, vol. 2. Paris: Baillere; 1945. p. 73.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Bekker B. Le monde enchanté, vol. 4. Amsterdam: Pierre Rotterdam; 1694. p. 517.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Wier J. Histoires, disputes et discours des illusions et impostures des diables, des magiciens infames, sorcières et empoisonneurs, vol. 1. Paris: Bureaux du Progrès Médical; 1886.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Montgeron L. La verité des miracles operés par l’intercession de M. de Paris, demontrée contre M. l’Archevêque de Sens. Utrecht: Chez les Libraires de la Compagnie;1737.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bekhterev VM. Suggestion and its role in social life. 3rd ed. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Spiller G. Moral education in the boys’ schools of Germany. In: Sadler ME, editor. Moral instruction and training in schools: report of an international inquiry, vol. 2. London: Longmans, Green & Company; 1908. p. 213–30.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Montgomery J. The education of girls in Germany: its methods of moral instruction and training. In: Sadler M, editor. Moral instruction and training in schools: report of an international inquiry, vol. 2. London: Longmans, Green & Company; 1908. p. 231–41.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Lukas J. Der schulmeister von sadowa. Kirchheim: Maniz; 1878.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Welch S. Subjects or citizens? elementary school policy and practice in Bavaria 1800–1918. Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Department of History Monograph 26;1998.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Burnham W. Suggestion in school hygiene. Pedagog Seminary. 1912;19:228–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Palmer D. Psychische seuche in der sbersten slasse einer sadchenschule. Centralbl f Nervenh u Psychiat. 1892;3:301–8.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Hirt L. Eine epidemie von hysterischen krampfen in einer Schleisischen dorfschule. Ztschr f Schulgsndhtspflg. 1893;6:225–9.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Rembold S. Acute psychiche contagion in einer madchenschule. Berl Klin Wochenschr. 1893;30:662–3.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Schutte P. Eine neue form hysterischer zustande bei schulkindern. Münch Med Woch. 1906;53:1763–4.

    Google Scholar 

  43. McEvedy CP, Griffith A, Hall T. Two school epidemics. BMJ. 1966;2:1300–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Moss PD, McEvedy CP. An epidemic of overbreathing among schoolgirls. BMJ. 1966;2:1295–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Goldberg EL. Crowd hysteria in a junior high school. J Sch Health. 1973;43:362–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Knight J, Friedman T, Sulianti J. Epidemic hysteria: a field study. Am J Public Health. 1965;55:858–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Olson WC. Account of a fainting epidemic in a high school. Psychol Clin (Phila). 1928;18:34–8.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Olczak P, Donnerstein E, Hershberger T, Kahn I. Group hysteria and the MMPI. Psychol Rep. 1971;28:413–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Teoh J, Yeoh K. Cultural conflict in transition: epidemic hysteria and social sanction. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 1973;7:283–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Tam YK, Tsoi MM, Kwong B, Wong SW. Psychological epidemic in Hong Kong, Part 2, psychological and physiological characteristics of children who were affected. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1982;65:437–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Wong SW, Kwong B, Tam YK, Tsoi MM. Psychological epidemic in Hong Kong, Part 1. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1982;65:421–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Small GW, Propper M, Randolph E, Eth S. Mass hysteria among student performers: social relationship as a symptom predictor. Am J Psychiatry. 1991;148(9):1200–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Goh K. Epidemiological enquiries into a school outbreak of an unusual illness. Int J Epidemiol. 1987;16(2):265–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Michaux L, Lemperiere T, Juredieu C. Considerations psychpathologiques sur une epidemie d’hysterie convulsive dans un internat professionnel. Arch Fr Pediatr. 1952;9:987–90.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Schuler E, Parenton V. A recent epidemic of hysteria in a Louisiana high school. J Soc Psychol. 1943;17:221–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Taylor DC. Hysteria, belief, and magic. Br J Psychiatry. 1989;155:391–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. St. Clare W. Gentleman’s Magazine. 1787;57:268.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Lortie B. The envelope, please. Bull At Sci. 2002;58(6):9–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Taylor G. Irradiated-mail health woes ‘mass hysteria’ officials say. The Washington Times. 30 Jan 2002. p. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Taylor G. Rumors spread hysteria epidemic. The Washington Times. 2002;2002:8.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Nemery B, Fischler B, Boogaerts M, Lison D, Willems J. The coca-cola incident in Belgium, June 1999. Food Chem Toxicol. 2002;40:1657–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Bartholomew RE, Evans H. Panic attacks: media manipulation and mass delusion. London: Sutton Publishing; 2004. p. 94.

    Google Scholar 

  63. The attack rate of the children, ages 10–17, was 16 percent in girls (28/179) and of 9 percent in boys (9/101) a ratio of 1.8 to 1.0.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Fifty-two percent of those affected were female, 37 percent were male, and in the remaining 11 percent the gender was not recorded.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Anonymous, Coke adds life, but cannot always explain it (Editorial). The Lancet. 1999;354(9174):173 (July 17).

    Google Scholar 

  66. Nemery B, Fischler B, Boogaerts M, Lison D. Dioxins, coca-cola, and mass sociogenic illness in Belgium. Lancet. 1999;354:77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Mystery substance: 50 students treated for symptoms at Carterton. New Zealand Herald. 21 Sept 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Johnston M. Ten sick children assessed in Wairarapa hospital after ‘rotten eggs’ smell hits Carterton school. New Zealand Herald. 21 Sept 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Police say sulphur smell at Carterton school caused by compost from neighbouring property. Radio New Zealand (Wellington). 24 Sept 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  70. 19 pupils and teacher, hit by weird malady, fall out. The Bee (Danville, GA). 24 Apr 1936. p. 1.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Jones TF, Craig AS, Hoy D, Gunter EW, Ashley DL, Barr DB, et al. Mass psychogenic illness attributed to toxic exposure at a high school. N Engl J Med. 2000;342(2):96–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Tarafder BK, Khan MA, Islam MP, Mahmud SA, Sarker MH, Faruq I. Mass psychogenic illness: demography and symptom profile of an episode. Psychiatry J. 2016:1–5. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2810143.

  73. Conley R. Laughing malady a puzzle in Africa. 1000 along Lake Victoria afflicted in 18 months – most are youngsters. The New York Times. 8 Aug 1963. p. 29.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Anonymous. The New York Times, 9 Aug 1963. p. 4.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Rankin AM, Philip PJ. An epidemic of laughing in the Buboka District of Tanganyika. Cent Afr J Med. 1963;9:167–70.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Kagwa BH. The problem of mass hysteria in East Africa. East Afr Med J. 1964;41:560–6.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Two schools close in Tanzania till siege of hysteria ends. The New York Times. 25 May 1966. p. 36.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Muhangi JR. Mass hysteria in an Ankole school. East Afr Med J. 1973;50:304–9.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Nkala G. Mass hysteria forces school closure. Middle East Intelligence Wire. 13 Mar 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  80. Owino W. Mass hysteria causes school’s temporary closure. Pan African News Agency. 8 Mar 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Ebrahim GJ. Mass hysteria in school children, notes on three outbreaks in East Africa. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 1968;7(7):437–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Pratney W. Revival. Lafayette: Huntington House; 1984. p. 267.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Murray TR, editor. International comparative education: practices, issues, & prospects. New York: Pergamon Press; 1991. p. 204.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Partain J. Christians and their ancestors: a dilemma in theology. Christian Century. 1986;103(36):1066–9.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Roach ES, Langley RL. Episodic neurological dysfunction due to mass hysteria. Arch Neurol. 2004;61(8):1269–72. See p. 1270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Harrison D. Expert: mystery illness is stress. The Roanoke Times. 18 Nov 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  87. 12 girls at NY high school develop involuntary tics; doc says it’s ‘mass psychogenic illness.’ The Washington Post. 20 Jan 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Bartholomew RE. Public health, politics and the stigma of mass hysteria: lessons from an outbreak of unusual illness. JRSM. 2016;109(5):175–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Letter from Kristy K. Bradley, State Epidemiologist, Oklahoma State Department of Health, to Robert Bartholomew. 6 Feb 2018.

    Google Scholar 

  90. Slanchik A. Dewey students suffering from similar symptoms, concerning parents. TV 6 News Report (Tulsa, OK). 3 Nov 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Guillroy T. Female students allegedly paralyzed after seizures; parents concerned. TV 2 News Report (Tulsa, OK). 4 Nov 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  92. Vincent V. Letter from Dewey high school superintendent circa November 6, 2017, posted on the school’s website.

    Google Scholar 

  93. Droege E. Dewey school illness: official reassures community. Bartlesville: Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Robert W. Baloh

  2. Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Robert E. Bartholomew

Authors
  1. Robert W. Baloh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert E. Bartholomew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert W. Baloh .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Baloh, R.W., Bartholomew, R.E. (2020). Mass Hysteria Through the Ages: From St. Vitus Dance to Mystery Odors. In: Havana Syndrome. Copernicus, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40746-9_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40746-9_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Copernicus, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-40745-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-40746-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation