Pre-Bram Stoker vampire myths were distilled from xenophobia and fear of disease. Couldn’t tell you what group that one pertained to or if it was rice alone but many historical racial myths were just wild shit that made no sense.

Other factors though like pale skin, flushed lips, distended gums, those were associated with victims of “wasting” tuberculosis.

Garlic and silver were early antibiotic substances in a time before we knew why so they made it into the lore as well