第56章 MISS VINCENT'S STARTLING DISCOVERY(3)

"The following extracts from the work of the celebrated Italian physician of the last century are given by the writer of the paper in the Giornale in the original Latin,with a translation into Italian,subjoined.Here are the extracts,or rather here is a selection from them,with a translation of them into English.

"After mentioning the singular aversion to certain colors shown by the subject of Tarantism,Baglivi writes as follows:

"'Et si astantes incedant vestibus eo colore difusis,qui Tarantatis ingrates est,necesse est ut ab illorum aspectu recedant;nam ad intuitum molesti coloris angore cordis,et symptomatum recrudescantia stating corripiuntur.'(G.Baglivi,Op.Omnia,page 614.Lugduni,1745.)"That is,'if the persons about the patient wear dresses of the color which is offensive to him,he must get away from the sight of them,for on seeing the obnoxious color he is at once seized with distress in the region of the heart,and a renewal of his symptoms.'

"As to the recurrence of the malady,Baglivi says:

"'Dam calor solis ardentius exurere incip at,quod contingit circa initia Julii et Augusti,Tarantati lente venientem recrudescentiam veneni percipiunt.'(Ibid.,page 619.)"Which I render,'When the heat of the sun begins to burn more fiercely,which happens about the beginning of July and August,the subjects of Tarantism perceive the gradually approaching recrudescence (returning symptoms)of the poisoning.Among the remedies most valued by this illustrious physician is that mentioned in the following sentence:

"'Laudo magnopere equitationes in aere rusticano factas singulis diebus,hord potissimum matutina,quibus equitationibus morbos chronicos pene incurabiles protanus eliminavi.'

"Or in translation,"'I commend especially riding on horseback in country air,every day,by preference in the morning hours,by the aid of which horseback riding I have driven off chronic diseases which were almost incurable.'"Miss Vincent read this paper aloud to Dr.Butts,and handed it to him to examine and consider.He listened with a grave countenance and devout attention.