As is said by Eddie Borey speaking of the doctors efforts to cure Lucy in his literary analysis of Dracula, " modern science is represented as useless against the vampire's primal evil, and only the old knowledge of superstitions and folklore provide any kind of defence." (DGDFGDFG) This struggle beautifully highlights the struggle with the supernatural elements as Dr. Seward and Dr. Van Helsing's knowledge of conventional medicine proves useless in combating this unnatural affliction as they watch in befuddlement while their treatments fail and Lucy dies. .
Early in the novel Lucy is afflicted with bouts of sleepwalking, and through one particular bout, ended up down the street in a churchyard with what appeared to be a man. After talking precautions to keep the door locked so it would not happen again, Mina recalls in her journal: .
I threw a glance up at our window, and saw Lucy's head leaning out. I thought that perhaps she was looking out for me, so I opened my handkerchief and waved it. She did not notice or make any movement. Just then, the moonlight crept round an angle of the building, and the light fell on the window. There distinctly was Lucy with her head lying up agains the side of the window-sill and her eyes shut. She was fast asleep, and by her, seated on the window-sill, was something that looked like a good size bird. (Stoker 125).
This unnatural sleepwalking, controlled by Dracula, could not be beaten by rational precautions, ultimately resulting in the death of Lucy. Later on in the novel Dr. Seward and Dr. Van Helsing come to the realization that they can no longer keep council with the wise and logical Mina Harker because of her supernatural link to Dracula. In a discussion between the Dr. Seward and Dr. Van Helsing, Van Helsing introduces the dangers that he foresees: .
Now my fear is this. If it be that she can, by our hypnotic trance, tell what the count sees and hears, is it not more true that he who have hypnotized her first, and who have drink of her blood and make her drink of his, should, if he will, compel her mind to disclose the him that which she know? (Stoker 415).
