Citation

Agutter PS, Shoja MM, Tubbs RS, Rashidi MR, Khalili M, Hosseini SF, Ghabili K, Cohen-Gadol AA, Loukas M. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2013; 20(3): 133-135.

Affiliation

Theoretical Medicine and Biology Group, Glossop, Derbyshire, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2012.05.006

PMID

23472788

Abstract

Premature burial (taphophobia) is an ancient fear, but it became especially common in 18th and 19th century Europe and may have a modern-day counterpart. Examination of a well-documented case from medieval Persia reveals the importance of funeral practices in the risk of actual premature burial and sheds light on the question of why taphophobia became so prevalent in Europe during the early industrial revolution period. The medieval Persian case was attributed to hysterical paralysis (conversion). We discuss the relationship between hysterical paralysis and premature burial more generally and show that although understanding of conversion syndrome remains incomplete, modern knowledge and practices have limited the risk of any similar tragedy today.

Language: en