Purity and Danger: An Analysis of Concepts of Pollution and Taboo @emailjs browser npm. In this fascinating study Mary Douglas shows how the idea of contagion is at work in the weak points of every conceptual structure, and analyses the rituals through which its symbols of danger and power are contained. Published 1970, Pelican Book. Binding of book is intact. Moderate creasing, fraying, and shelfwear on covers of book. Some tearing on back cover. Some tanning, foxing, and creasing on edges of book. Annotations in pencil and some foxing on insides of covers. Some foxing on certain pages.