Mass Hysteria

This article discussed a case of mass hysteria that occurred in Southern Lebanon. In January of 2007, an Israeli newspaper used dozens of green balloons as a form of advertisement. Unusually strong winds carried these balloons across the border into South Lebanon. Many of the Lebanese in the villages which saw the balloons feared that it was a form of biological warfare unleashed by an Israely warplane. This resulted in a small case of mass hysteria. Eight people were hospitalized for allegedly inhaling toxic gases which originated from the Israeli ballons. The victims were apparently suffering from systems like fatigue and nausea. The Lebanese government agency conducting the investigation reported that the Israeli forces had dropped ten large balloons containing toxic gas over the south Lebanon villages, and advised citizens to stay away from the balloons. The arguement that the article presents against the toxic balloon theory is as follows: why would Israeli forces, with greater land and air power drop just 10 balloons over South Lebanon in an act of biological warfare. It's rediculous that people can convince themselves of things like this when they are basing their diagnosis on a false report such as that.

http://adiamondinsunlight.wordpress.com/2007/09/05/mass-hysteria-israeli-balloons/