Ectoplasm

By Crusader1307

A mysterious phenomenon associated with The Paranormal activity known as Seances. The term was first coined in 1913 by French Neuro-Researcher Dr. Charles Richet. Ectoplasm was thought to be the physical manifestation of a Spirit or related Entity. Described as a vapor-like substance, it is emitted from a Medium or Psychic's mouth, nose or ears. Lighter than air, it often solidifies into a gelatinous material (often described as "wet cotton"). Ectoplasm is also accompanied by an undefined odor. With the "craze" of Seances and the Public in general - beginning in the Victorian Era and going forward well into the 1920s, the appearance of Ectoplasm was a regular component to a Seance. Samples were often impossible to collect, due to the fact that the slightest light would cause Ectoplasm to disintegrate. Those few and rate samples tested yielded no unusual elements. Many classic debunkers of Seances, found that in almost all cases, Ectoplasm was fake (often made by the Hoaxers themselves). "Floating" and taking on the "appearance" of the alleged "departed", were all part of the Ectoplasm "fraud". As time progressed (as did technology), less and less examples of Ectoplasm came into existence. By and large, the scientific community has largely discounted the phenomenon. However, a few bonafide cases have arise that produced Ectoplasm not so easily explained (with samples determined to be of "unknown" origin). Conversely, the UFO phenomenon known as "Angel Hair" also falls into this category.