I really wish my MIL would check Snopes before forwarding me cautionary horror stories she got in email. I responded with accurate information and a gentle suggestion that she check Snopes in the future.
Y'know, I'll bet people have had stories like that all through recorded history too. For some reason people would rather promulgate wild-ass tales that appeal to other peoples' sense of wonder, or horror, or some other emotion that gets them stirred up.
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