The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Vampire Pathology:



A vampire starts life as a human being; any age, size, race; there is no known immunity.







Infection:



A vampire bite can cause death by anaphylactic reaction; repeated bites can cause death from haemorrhagic shock, occasionally from subacute anaemia. A small minority of bites can lead to a metamorphosis from 'normal human being' to vampire; vampirification. One study suggests fewer than 1% of attacks lead to vampirification.



There is no record - or rumour - of vampire reproduction in any other way, supporting theories of a parasitic factor; vampirification as a means of increasing the vampire population.



The favoured age of victims is early twenties; almost equal numbers of male and female victims, with a marked predominace of healthy, educated and intelligent people. Indeed, one mark of a threatened and declining vampire group may be a deviation from this careful preselection of victims.





Vampirification:



The process of vampirification may follow a deliberate act on the part of a vampire; occasionally it may be a chance infection. Bleaumeux argues that any partaking of blood by a vampire might result in vampirification, but there are problems with this thesis.



Vampires have been shown to take blood from cattle, horse and sheep (among others), with no record of these creatures being affected, beyond blood loss. This may be a species immunity result, or may be evidence that accidental vampirification simply does not occur.



The process of vampirification is still poorly understood; it may be a natural result of a viral infection, a sophisticated drug-induced process - or, most likely, a parasitic infection. The problem has always been a lack of hard pathological evidence; no vampire has yet co-operated with researchers, and no viable specimens have been obtained from captured vampires, as they always chose self-destruction before co-operation.



The consensus in the scientific community is that the process bears comparison with the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into an adult butterfly. The process of metamorphosis involves three distinct developmental stages: human, pupa and vampire. In temperate zones, the pupal stage is thought to take 3 to 4 days, much longer in colder climates. Views differ on the effects of higher temperatures; vampires are rare in hot climates, and this may be because the process cannot occur above a certain temperature.





Anatomy:



Though vampires on Buffy change from a human visage to a demonic appearance as they attack, few 'real life' accounts support this contention. There is no obvious change in appearance after vampirification, except for a marked pallor, and an almost universal appearance of significantly below average weight.



Such minor changes, however, conceal significant changes under the skin.



A wealth of circumstantial evidence suggests that the pupal stage involves major changes to heart, circulation and renal systems, with consequent alterations to other systems to accomodate a very altered lifestyle.



Human haemoglobin uses iron as its core; the vampire equivalent uses magnesium. This allows the vampire to dispense with an artificially maintained body temperature; it creates a highly efficient cardiac muscle allied to more flexible blodd vessels and it virtually eliminates the risk of thrombosis/embolism.



Deficiency of magnesium is known to lead to anxiety, irritability, anger, insomnia and mood swings; all features reported in vampires, especially when deprived of sustenance.



Changes to muscle and bone following vampirification may account for the 'superhuman' abilities attributed to vampires, such as speed and strength.



Physiology:



Respiration in the vampire does not involve the lungs at all. Pending full dissection and analysis, it is impossible to conjecture in detail on the chemical processes involved. Oxygen-based respiration would present a serious risk of spontaneous combustion, and this may explain the vampire's need for fresh blood; the oxygen held in oxyhaemoglobin can be stored by the vampire, enabling controlled and safe combination with magnesium to produce copious energy. The freedom from requiring 10+ respirations per minute would significantly facilitate inactivity and hibernation. Spared the need for maintaining mammalian temperatures, energy requirements can be reduced to near zero for extended periods.



Nutrition, for all living organisms, is about meeting the needs of growth and repair, plus energy for activities of life. For the vampire, a magnesium-based physiology allows the body to function like a fuel cell; power is available for concerted activity, while prolonged rest following binge consumption allows for regeneration and repair processes. Unlike in human anatomy, the vampire kidney appears adapted to preserving magnesium with great efficiency; extraction from the liquid diet might be sufficient for the vampire lifestyle.



Reproduction does not exist within vampire communities; human anatomy maintained at low temperatures, without carbon/oxygen metabolism could not function; procreation could not occur. While this means the inconvenience of 'recruiting' new blood, it also means that the energy of child rearing is not expended



Growth and Aging: Vampires are normally recruited as adults; no significant growth appears to be required, and longevity is a well documented feature; with periods of inactivity and virtual hibernation, individual vampires are known to have lived for centuries.



Repair processes appear to very efficient, with activity hardly affected by multiple gunshot or stab wounds, and complete recovery from severe injuries within a few days.



Vulnerabilities:



While the use of magnesium has granted vampires great advantages, it also brings vulnerabilities.



In certain circumstances, magnesium can be an explosive element; this means that no vampire will risk direct sunlight for fear of spontaneous combustion.



Wooden stakes have long been a weapon of choice for the vampire hunter, but it is no accident that hand-wielded, fresh cut unvarnished pine is much more likely to prove fatal than hardwood or crossbow-fired polished wooden darts. This is because it is not the wood itself that causes the reaction, but the enzymes that are found in the resin of many varieties of wood. Indeed, a fragrant pine forest can lead to an asthma-like condition that may be fatal to the vampire, and Australia, home of the Eucalypt, is a no-go area to vampires.



Efficient vasoconstriction, coupled with powerful regenerative powers have given the vampire the reputation of being unstoppable by blade or bullet - most experienced hunters will not relax until the vampire has been burned or beheaded; injuries that would lead to almost instant death in a human being are a minor inconvenience to a healthy vampire.

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Voler
21:36 Oct 19 2010

Very informative. I learned a couple things, especially about the magnesium. Thanks for the much needed info!!

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The Black Death and Religion:



During the Middle Ages it was essential that people were given the last rites and had the chance to confess their sins before they died. The spread of the deadly plague in England was swift and the death rate was almost 50% in isolated populations such as monasteries. There were not enough clergy to offer the last rites or give support and help to the victims. The situation was so bad that Pope Clement VI was forced to grant remission of sins to all who died of the Black Death. Victims were allowed to confess their sins to one another, or "even to a woman". The church could offer no reason for the deadly disease and beliefs were sorely tested. This had such a devastating effect that people started to question religion and such doubts ultimately led to the English reformation.



Consequences and Effects of the Black Death plague

The Consequences and effects of the Black Death plague were far reaching in England:



Prices and Wages rose



Greater value was placed on labour



Farming land was given over to pasturing, which was much less labour-intensive



This change in farming led to a boost in the cloth and woollen industry



Peasants moved from the country to the towns



The Black Death was therefore also responsible for the decline of the Feudal system



People became disillusioned with the church and its power and influence went into decline



This resulted in the English reformation





Black Death:



Each section of this Middle Ages website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and information about these great people and events in bygone Medieval times including the Black Death. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Middle Ages!





Black Death

Important Facts about the Black Death



Black Death Symptoms



Black Death Victims in the Middle Ages - Treatments



Black Death in England - 1348-1350



The Black Death Victims in the Middle Ages - The daughter of the King of England



The Black Death and Religion



Consequences of the Black Death plague

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MasqueradeMistress
04:19 May 10 2010

It is kool that you have put all this up, I have always found the Black Death ( Plague ) to be most interesting, along with the Witch Trials, to me many died in each time from ignorance in my opinion. Sad yet, true.



Thanks very good read... your Journal that is.

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LilithaVain
16:33 May 19 2010

*points up* What she said!

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Black Death during the Elizabethan Era



The Black Death Victims in the Middle Ages - The daughter of the King of England

The Black Death struck people and took its victims from all walks of society. King Edward III (1312 – 1377) was King of England during the terrible period of the plague. Edward had arranged a marriage for his favourite daughter Joan Plantagenet. Joan was born in February 1335 in Woodstock. Joan was to marry King Pedro of Castille, the son of Alfonso XI and Maria of Portugal. The marriage was to take place in Castille. Joan (sometimes referred to as Joanna ) left England with the blessing of her parents. The Black Death had not yet taken its hold in England and its first victims had only been claimed in France in August 1348. Joan travelled through France and contracted the deadly disease. She died on 2 Sep 1348 in Bayonne of the Black Death.

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LilithaVain
16:32 May 19 2010

Awwz, that is so sad!

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Black Death in England - 1348-1350



The Black Death reached England in 1348. Bristol was an important European port and city in England during the Medieval era. It is widely believed that Bristol was the place where the Black Death first reached England. The plague reached England during the summer months between June and August. The Back Death reached London by 1st November 1348. London was a crowded, bustling city with a population of around 70,000. The sanitation in London was poor and living conditions were filthy. The River Thames brought more ships and infection to London which spread to the rest of England. The crowded, dirty living conditions of the English cities led to the rapid spread of the disease. Church records that the actual deaths in London were approximately 20,000. Between 1348 and 1350, killed about 30 - 40% of the population of England which at the time was estimated to be about five to six million. Many people were thrown into open communal pits. The oldest, youngest and poorest died first. Whole villages and towns in England simply ceased to exist after the Black Death.

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LilithaVain
16:30 May 19 2010

Damn man! That shit is crazy!! Scary thought! I wonder if scientists are trying to make a vaccine to make sure it doesn't happen again? Human Papilloma Virus is a pandemic now. I think it's actually more than 1 in 3 people have HPV. Scary thought!

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Black Death



The Middle Ages encompass one of the most exciting periods in English History. One of the most important historical events of the Medieval era is the Black Death. What were the key dates of this famous historical event? What were the names of the Medieval people who were involved in this historical occasion? Interesting facts and information about the Black Death are detailed below.



Important Facts about the Black Death

Interesting information and important facts and history of the disease:



Key Dates relating to the event: This terrible plague started in Europe in 1328 and lasted until 1351 although there were outbreaks for the next sixty years



Why was the disease called the Black Death? The disease was called the Black Death because one of the symptoms produced a blackening of the skin around the swellings. or buboes. The buboes were red at first, but later turned a dark purple, or black. When a victim's blood was let the blood that exuded was black, thick and vile smelling with a greenish scum mixed in it.



How the disease was spread: The Black Death was spread by fleas that were carried by rats or other small rodents



The spread of the Black Death followed all of the Trade Routes to every country



The Black Death of the Middle Ages was believed to have originated in the Gobi Desert



Key People relating to the event: Nearly one third of the population of died - about 200 million people in Europe



The 1328 outbreak in China caused the population to drop from 125 million to 90 million in just fifty years



7500 victims of the disease were dying every day



The Black Death in England raged from 1348-1350



Why the Black Death was important to the history of England: The population drop resulted in a higher value being placed on labour - the Peasants Revolt followed in 1381. Farming changed and the wool industry boomed. People became disillusioned with the church and its power and influence went into decline. This ultimately resulted in the English reformation



Black Death Symptoms

The symptoms of the Black Death were terrible and swift:



Painful swellings (buboes) of the lymph nodes



These swellings, or buboes, would appear in the armpits, legs, neck, or groin



A bubo was at first a red color. The bubo then turned a dark purple color, or black



Other symptoms of the Black Death included:



a very high fever



delirium



the victim begins to vomit



muscular pains



bleeding in the lungs



mental disorientation



The plague also produced in the victim an intense desire to sleep, which, if yielded to, quickly proved fatal



A victim would die quickly - victims only lived between 2 -4 days after contracting the deadly disease



Black Death Victims in the Middle Ages - Treatments

The Black Death victims in the Middle Ages were terrified of the deadly disease. The plague held a massive mortality rate between 30 and 40%. Victims had no idea what had caused the disease. Neither did the physicians in the Middle Ages. The most that could be done was that various concoctions of herbs might be administered to relieve the symptoms - there was no known cure. Headaches were relieved by rose, lavender, sage and bay. Sickness or nausea was treated with wormwood, mint, and balm. Lung problems were treated with liquorice and comfrey. Vinegar was used as a cleansing agent as it was believed that it would kill disease. But bloodletting was commonly thought to be one of the best ways to treat the plague. The blood that exuded was black, thick and vile smelling with a greenish scum mixed in it.



Black Death Treatment: Black Death was treated by lancing the buboes and applying a warm poultice of butter, onion and garlic. Various other remedies were tried including tobacco, arsenic, lily root and dried toad!

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LilithaVain
16:26 May 19 2010

Wow.. that's amazing! So the bubonic plague ended up being an epidemic for like, 85 years!!? That's crazy! That's a long time, man! Thanks for posting this!! I've finished reading this entry. I'm going to read the other's as well. That's so interesting. It's also kind of scary too, though, if you think about it. The black plague could affect us even today. Say an archeologist decides to go to some really old-ass building from that point in time and those germs are still around? That would cause another epidemic! Only this day in age, it would be of catastrophic proportions! Can you just imagine it?? Very scary thought!! Thanks for sharing this information with us! Two thumbs up!

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