Mass illness tied to contagious fear

Illness spread rapidly through a McMinnville, Tenn., high school on Nov. 12, 1998. A teacher noted a gasoline-like smell in her classroom and then complained of a headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Several students in her class soon reported similar problems. School officials ended up evacuating the facility amid the din of ambulances, police, and firefighters.