The story of Vlad the Impaler, known as Count Dracula, inspired many vampire myths that have fueled the popular imagination for centuries. Over time, real events and fiction merged, giving rise to the image of the mystical Count Dracula, rising from the grave in search of human souls, reports KrasnoyarskMedia news agency.
Thanks to the work of Dr. Lee Illis from Hampshire, who presented his research at the Royal Society of Medicine in 1963, many myths about “vampirism” were debunked, reports the portal “Around the World” (18+).
In the real world, there are people who suffer from a genetic disease called porphyria. Porphyria is a disease in which an excess of porphyrin occurs in the blood and tissues of a person, which destroys hemoglobin under the influence of light and causes oxygen starvation of the tissues. This disease can be either hereditary or acquired as a result of serious illness or poisoning.
Symptoms of porphyria often resembled vampirism: pale skin, photosensitivity, deterioration of the skin. Deformation of the tendons leads to curvature of the fingers, and damage to the oral mucosa causes bleeding, making the teeth especially visible and giving a scary appearance. Porphyria also stains the teeth a reddish-brown color, adding to the creepy image.
In modern medicine, thanks to a deep understanding of this disease, methods for its correction and treatment have been developed, especially in the early stages. However, in severe cases, porphyria makes life unbearable for patients during daylight hours, forcing them to avoid bright light and hide in the shadows, which once gave rise to myths about vampires.
