26. Widespread Stress Led to Mass to Hysteria
The crazy laughter epidemic spread out from the Kashasha region like wildfire, or like ripples from a stone thrown into a pond. Before long, students in other schools in the region started laughing their heads off. For the most part, the symptoms consisted of recurring bouts of uncontrollable laughter and crying that lasted from a few hours to over two weeks. They were combined with a general restlessness, aimless running around, and the occasional resort to aggressive violence. Doctors were unable to find a physical cause for the contagion.
By the time the mass hysteria subsided about a year later, fourteen schools had closed down, and thousands had been afflicted. Subsequent investigation attributed the initial outbreak to stress among the schoolgirls, who found themselves in an alien environment within the missionary-run boarding school. It was noted that the outbreak had affected only the schoolgirls, without touching any of the teachers or staff. Beyond the school, the surrounding population was dealing with the stress and uncertainty of their country’s future, as Tanganyika had gained its independence only a month before the mass hysteria eruption.
