Mass Hysteria in Schools

Surveys the rich, colourful history of mass hysteria and kindred phenomena in schools, from outbreaks of demonic possession during witchcraft scares to twitching and shaking epidemics that became common in nineteenth century European schools, to more contemporary incidents of collapsing bands, itching frenzies, ghost panics and 'mystery' illnesses. Robert Bartholomew and Robert Rickard trace mysterious outbreaks of strange behaviour and illness in students through the centuries.