|
Vampire dentition really varies very little from the basic human set - the canine tooth, designed for tearing, is replaced by a fang, for puncturing and injecting.
Like certain reptiles, vampire fangs are slightly erectile, allowing for comfort and clear diction when the fangs are not required.
Vampire fangs have a hypodermic function which is under the vampire's conscious control. Various substances may be injected.
In order to consume the high proportion of the victim's blood that leads to 'bloodless' corpses, there must be a powerful anticoagulant, to enable the vampire to suck the blood quickly, cleanly, and without it clotting.
It is likely, but not confirmed, that a muscle relaxant, probably related to suxamethonium, is employed to reduce the victim's struggles and prevent them calling for help. This fast-acting agent could be sufficient to ensure a quick and painless death,when used in combination with catastophic blood loss.
It has been suggested that an array of enzymes can be employed; for example, clotting agents to reverse the anticoagulant, for those selected not to die. It is conceivable that neurotoxins are employed, to ensure death even if the vampire is disturbed.
There is much confusion about vampire fangs; many believe the blood is extracted via the fangs; this is almost certainly not correct.
The amount of blood, even anticoagulated blood, that could be taken in this way is simply insufficient; it is almost certain that the fangs are used to pierce and inject; the blood is literally sucked out of the wounds and swallowed.
Vampirification
In selected victims, the aim is to start the process of vampirification, rather than to kill; in such cases, the Vampire will deliberately deliver a dose of the virus that does the job, probably by releasing some vampire blood into the candidate.
It is believed that while the vampire will also feed on these occasions, it is careful not to gorge; the intention is to lull suspicion - the victim will appear to exhibit the same symptoms as any 'normal' victim, and will appear to 'die', thus ensuring it will have time to complete the transformation.
Seebohm suggests that another reason for the vampire feeding off a candidate, is to ensure that it wakes with a hunger; hunger enough for it to overcome its initial revulsion at its new style of eating.
|
