Want to create an interactive transcript for this episode?
Podcast: The Strange History Podcast
Episode: The Great New England Vampire Panic: How Tuberculosis Sparked a Supernatural Scare
Description: In this spine-tingling episode, we uncover the bizarre yet true story of the Great New England Vampire Panic. From the infamous case of Mercy Brown in Rhode Island to the eerie vampire graves of Griswold and Jewett City, we explore how a deadly tuberculosis outbreak fueled supernatural hysteria across 19th-century New England. Learn how families dug up their deceased loved ones, burned organs, and even drank the ashesβall in a desperate bid to stop a supposed undead menace. Plus, we dive into the science behind tuberculosis, the development of the first vaccine, and how medical advancements finally put an en...