Ian Woodward

Noted British researcher Ian Woodward is well known by occult and paranormal historians for his book The Werewolf Delusion, from which the following essay is taken. In the book Woodward explores the various ambiguities and inconsistencies in the werewolf myth in an effort to discover the truth about this mysterious creature. In this essay, he makes a strong case for werewolves as victims of mistaken identity. Basing his argument on thorough research and comparative analysis, Woodward asserts that rabies epidemics might be at the heart of the werewolf myth. He systematically presents medical evidence comparing symptoms of human rabies with those experienced by individuals believed to be werewolves. After discussing the various ways rabies can be transmitted to humans, Woodward points out that human rabies can occur in epidemic proportions in a cyclical...