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Havana Syndrome : Mass Psychogenic Illness and the Real Story Behind the Embassy Mystery and Hysteria / by Robert W. Baloh, Robert E. Bartholomew.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Baloh, Robert W. (Robert William), 1942- author.
- Bartholomew, Robert E., author.
- Series:
- Medicine (Springer-11650)
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Medicine.
- Health.
- Neurology.
- Medicine, Psychosomatic.
- Otolaryngology.
- Psychotherapy.
- Popular Science in Medicine and Health.
- Psychosomatic Medicine.
- Otorhinolaryngology.
- Local Subjects:
- Popular Science in Medicine and Health.
- Neurology.
- Psychosomatic Medicine.
- Otorhinolaryngology.
- Psychotherapy.
- Physical Description:
- 1 online resource (XVI, 194 pages)
- Edition:
- First edition 2020.
- Contained In:
- Springer eBooks
- Place of Publication:
- Cham : Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Copernicus, 2020.
- System Details:
- text file PDF
- Summary:
- It is one of the most extraordinary cases in the history of science: the mating calls of insects were mistaken for a "sonic weapon" that led to a major diplomatic row. Since August 2017, the world media has been absorbed in the "attack" on diplomats from the American and Canadian Embassies in Cuba. While physicians treating victims have described it as a novel and perplexing condition that involves an array of complaints including brain damage, the authors present compelling evidence that mass psychogenic illness was the cause of "Havana Syndrome." This mysterious condition that has baffled experts is explored across 11-chapters which offer insights by a prominent neurologist and an expert on psychogenic illness. A lively and enthralling read, the authors explore the history of similar scares from the 18th century belief that sounds from certain musical instruments were harmful to human health, to 19th century cases of "telephone shock," and more contemporary panics involving people living near wind turbines that have been tied to a variety of health complaints. The authors provide dozens of examples of kindred episodes of mass hysteria throughout history, in addition to psychosomatic conditions and even the role of insects in triggering outbreaks. Havana Syndrome: Mass Psychogenic Illness and the Real Story Behind the Embassy Mystery and Hysteria is a scientific detective story and a case study in the social construction of mass psychogenic illness.
- Contents:
- 1. Chasing Ghosts in Cuba
- 2. The Crisis Deepens
- 3. From Combat Syndromes to Havana Mystery Illness
- 4. Social Contagion Through the Ages: From St. Vitus Dance to Mystery Odors
- 5. Musical Illness and Telephone Sickness: An Early History of Sound and Suggestion
- 6. Modern-Day Acoustical Scares: From 'The Hum' to 'Wind Turbine Syndrome'
- 7. Phantom Assailants: Of Mad Gassers and Phantom Slashers
- 8. A Short History of Spider, Insect and Worm Scares
- 9. State Terrorism Masquerading as Psychogenic Illness
- 10. 'Havana Syndrome' Solved: Separating Science From Science Fiction
- 11. The Social Construction of 'Havana Syndrome'.
- Other Format:
- Printed edition:
- ISBN:
- 978-3-030-40746-9
- 9783030407469
- Access Restriction:
- Restricted for use by site license.
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