Dear Editor,

That the recent mysterious illnesses of schoolgirls across the country are a supernatural manifestation is doubtful. The phenomenon has been observed and documented all over the world and is, quite interestingly, overwhelmingly a “school girl problem.” (New York Times: ‘At a School for the Poor, a Mysterious Illness’ cf http://brainmind.com/Hysteria.html). Further, it might be helpful to reflect on the common Evangelical experience in praise and worship and speaking in tongues, or the fainting spells of screaming female fans of the Beatles and Michael Jackson during their early sold-out tours, or even the everyday funny cases of contagious yawning.

For interesting perspectives on the immense power of suggestion, I recommend the BBC One documentary, ‘Children of God: Heaven and Earth Show’ (22.7.07); BBC ‘From Our Own Correspondent: Servants of God’ (29.6.02); CNN’s report on the bizarre case of Ria Ramkissoon (31.3.09); BBC ‘Heart and Soul: Children of God’ (16.3.09) and the related fascinating video of Terry Durham at http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=3M_IA0a X69o&feature=related.

Essentially, my point is this, that human beings have an extraordinary capacity for self-delusion. If it were to remain unchecked in error, it can prove so overwhelming as to lead to mass hysteria of an injudicious kind. In the cases under consideration, then, attempted exorcisms only help in so far as they inadvertently provide the emotional support needed by the perceived trigger victim through the communal attention offered by priest, family and friends. In spite of the foregoing, however, she should be treated with respect in tacit acknowledgement of the veracity of her claim of a personal experience. It may be that a new disease is on us.

Yours faithfully,
Mark A C  Blair