The Mad Gasser of Mattoon: A Phantom Anesthetist in Illinois

In the mid-1940s, residents of Mattoon, Illinois, were terrorized by reports of a mysterious figure known as the Mad Gasser. Victims claimed they were sprayed with a sweet-smelling gas that caused nausea, dizziness, and temporary paralysis. Despite numerous reports and widespread panic, no physical evidence or suspects were ever found.

The Mad Gasser of Mattoon was likely a case of mass hysteria fueled by wartime anxieties and sensational media coverage. The incident remains a fascinating study of how fear and rumor can create widespread panic.