Porphyria and vampirism: another myth in the making

Dermatologic conditions as vehicles of horror in Gothic literature

Popular culture has long used skin conditions to suggest a character's immorality, deviancy, or to give the reader terror. This is especially obvious in Gothic literature, which utilizes dark themes including supernaturalism. Some examples of famous characters from Gothic literature include Frankenstein's monster creation that has jaundiced skin, Dracula who has albinism, poliosis, and an obvious scar, and finally, Stanton in Melmoth the Wanderer, who has albinism. These skin conditions are reflections of the characters' inner selves and serve to underline that these characters exist outside the realm of normalcy.

Bleeding manifestations apparently unrelated to coagulation or other organic disorders: A tentative classification and diagnostic clues

OBJECTIVE

To study the features of bleeding conditions apparently not associated with vascular, platelet, or clotting dysfunctions.

METHOD

Conditions that may meet these criteria are: Münchausen syndrome factitious or fictitious, suicidal or homicidal bleeding, bleeding due to self-punishment, stigmatization, the battered child syndrome, and psychogenic bleeding.

RESULTS

The importance of these variegate conditions is not trivial in clinical practice. Differential diagnosis may be difficult and involve other specialists besides hematologists. Occasionally, invasive procedures are involved.

DISCUSSION

The occurrence of bleeding in patients, without a clotting defect or a systemic disorder and a negative family history for bleeding represents a diagnostic challenge. A careful examination of the physical and psychological status of the patient and an appropriate evaluation of the environment in which bleeding occurs, is always needed.

Vampirism and schizophrenia

A case of schizophrenia with vampiric delusions is described. The relevant classical and contemporary literature is reviewed, both in relation to clinical vampirism and the relationship between vampirism and schizophrenia. In patients with vampiric delusions, the possibility of future vampiric behaviour should be considered, and appropriate treatment initiated.