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| Who, What, Why: Can a 'ripple effect' cause mass fainting? | Who, What, Why: Can a 'ripple effect' cause mass fainting? |
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| Up to 40 school pupils have reportedly fallen ill simultaneously, with several fainting, in what's been described as a "ripple effect". But what might that be, asks Justin Parkinson. | Up to 40 school pupils have reportedly fallen ill simultaneously, with several fainting, in what's been described as a "ripple effect". But what might that be, asks Justin Parkinson. |
| The National Health Service lists several reasons for fainting, which is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. | The National Health Service lists several reasons for fainting, which is caused by a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain. |
| These include a malfunction in the nervous system, which can be caused by an "external trigger" such as an unpleasant sight or heat. Low blood pressure is another cause, possibly from dehydration, as are heart problems, prolonged standing or emotional stress. | These include a malfunction in the nervous system, which can be caused by an "external trigger" such as an unpleasant sight or heat. Low blood pressure is another cause, possibly from dehydration, as are heart problems, prolonged standing or emotional stress. |
| But can these or any other medical theories explain why several pupils at Outwood Academy in Ripon, North Yorkshire, reportedly collapsed at roughly the same time during a Remembrance Day service? | But can these or any other medical theories explain why several pupils at Outwood Academy in Ripon, North Yorkshire, reportedly collapsed at roughly the same time during a Remembrance Day service? |
| No hazardous substances or gases were detected on the premises. A fire officer has said the room the children were in was hot and that, when a few children fainted, a "ripple effect" caused others to do so. One pupil has described a "domino effect". | |
| One factor might have been a subconscious desire to be "one of the group", says Mark Hamilton, a GP from Manchester. "There's a sense almost of embarrassment if you don't fit in", even when it comes to ostensibly unpleasant activities, he adds. "It's the same sort of principle a hypnotist would use when dealing with a group, getting everyone to do the same. We're more comfortable in groups." | One factor might have been a subconscious desire to be "one of the group", says Mark Hamilton, a GP from Manchester. "There's a sense almost of embarrassment if you don't fit in", even when it comes to ostensibly unpleasant activities, he adds. "It's the same sort of principle a hypnotist would use when dealing with a group, getting everyone to do the same. We're more comfortable in groups." |
| There have been other cases apparently similar to what's been reported in Ripon. In 1965 an "epidemic of over-breathing" occurred in Blackburn, Lancashire, with 85 girls admitted to hospital with symptoms including fainting and dizziness. Anxiety, viruses, food poisoning and a gas leak were suspected as causes, but nothing was proved. Another suggestion was "mass hysteria" relating to a recent polio outbreak in the town. | There have been other cases apparently similar to what's been reported in Ripon. In 1965 an "epidemic of over-breathing" occurred in Blackburn, Lancashire, with 85 girls admitted to hospital with symptoms including fainting and dizziness. Anxiety, viruses, food poisoning and a gas leak were suspected as causes, but nothing was proved. Another suggestion was "mass hysteria" relating to a recent polio outbreak in the town. |
| Earlier this year almost 200 female garment workers in Cambodia were hospitalised after fainting in two separate factories. Poor working conditions, including fumes, were blamed, but the government played down the idea. | Earlier this year almost 200 female garment workers in Cambodia were hospitalised after fainting in two separate factories. Poor working conditions, including fumes, were blamed, but the government played down the idea. |
| The Ripon incident perplexes Farrah Sheikh, a GP from Greater Manchester. "Fainting has medical causes," she says. "Sometimes if you get up too quickly or a room's too hot it can happen, but I've never come across anything like this. | The Ripon incident perplexes Farrah Sheikh, a GP from Greater Manchester. "Fainting has medical causes," she says. "Sometimes if you get up too quickly or a room's too hot it can happen, but I've never come across anything like this. |
| "And, as it happened around the time of the two-minute silence at 11:00, the kids hadn't had lunch, so it couldn't have been mass food poisoning. It's very strange." | "And, as it happened around the time of the two-minute silence at 11:00, the kids hadn't had lunch, so it couldn't have been mass food poisoning. It's very strange." |
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