# The Usenet Clam

> Subject: Re: Clam info on-line
> From: ed@pinch.com (Ed Anderson)
> Date: 1996/08/16
> Message-ID: <4v0vf8$iq8@nntp1.best.com>
> Newsgroups: alt.skincare,alt.support.skin-diseases

    Eva Whitley (ewhitley@qis.net) wrote:
    " If this isn't a hoax, then this is one of the most fascinating things
    " I've ever seen on the 'net.
    "
    " If it is a hoax, I'm going to vote for it as the best science fiction
    " story of 1996.
    "
    " amassed child vigor wrote:
    " >
    " > See [http://www.nepenthes.com/Sex/mollusca.html] for more information on this
    " > emerging (venereal) skin disease.
    " >
    " >                         NEW S.T.D. A PUZZLE TO INVESTIGATORS
    " >                 [Image] by Bernard Taylor
    " > ----

    The debunkers in news:alt.folklore.urban call this a hoax.

    The "clam" is probably short for Chlamydia, a known STD.  Drag around some
    red herrings like a reference to "molluscum" and some fake citations and
    CDC fabrications and you too can create your own urban legend.

    MOLLUSCUM CONTAGIOSUM:
         A disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a
         poxvirus. It is characterized by scattered flesh-toned white
         papules. The disease most frequently occurs in children and
         adults with impaired immune response. It is transmitted from
         person to person by direct or indirect contact and lasts up to
         three years.

    Apparently over 90% of children and adults have antibodies to this virus
    and show no symptoms of it.  Hardly an epidemic.

    Check out the author's other stories regarding Elvis.

    -- Ed Anderson