Be Prepared!

As the day of ghosts and ghouls fast approaches, I look into one of the most enduring horror themes: The Vampire. The 18^th Century has a particular event to recall, resulting in mass hysteria. It is called the 18^th Century Vampire Controversy”, which began with a panic of alleged vampire attacks in East Prussia in 1721 (it’s always Eastern Europe, if you think about it!).

There were two famous cases, officially recorded, involving the corpses of Peter Plogojowitz and Arnold Paole, both from Serbia. Plogojowitz supposedly died (age 61), and returned asking his son for food. When the son refused, he was found dead, from loss of blood. Paole was an ex-soldier turned farmer, who died, later returning to prey on his neighbors.  There was another case centered around Sava Savanovic, living in a watermill, killing and drinking the blood of millers. The character Savanovic was later used in a story written by Serbian Milovan Glisi, and turned into the 1937 horror film Leptirica.

Though this was an age of reason, the idea of vampirical (Is that a word?! Ha Ha ) attacks created quite a stir, and the forward-thinking purchased vampire hunting kits, just to be on the safe side! Some were quite extensive, including stakes, hammer, holy water, crucifix, vials of garlic powder and other concoctions to ward of the undead, bible, pistol with silver bullets, axe for decapitation. Everything you may need to prepare for the worst!

The enduring romance and mystery of the Vampire continue to this day. It's compelling to contemplate, as long as you're prepared!