ic6 ESSAYS AND OBSERVATIONS' 



they think proceeds from the bite of the 

 tarantula, this method of cure is univer- 

 sally praclifed, and with fo much fuccefs, 

 that It feems miraculous, and is efteem- 

 ed the effed of the muGc by prejudiced 

 minds. They fay that the mufic charms 

 the poifon of the bite ; the mark, howe- 

 ver, of a bite, is never felt or feen on a- 

 ny part of the body ; even the moft pre- 

 poffelTed could not fay they bad feen the 

 leafl mark of this kind on the perfons 

 affedled. Though many great men have 

 given credit to the effeds of this poifon, 

 and fome have accounted for them with 

 great ingenuity ; yet I am not afraid to 

 affert, that the diforders imagined to be 

 caufed by the bite of the tarantula, are 

 occafioned by the heats to which thefe 

 people are expofed in getting in their 

 harveil. I had every advantage I could 

 wifli for to inform myfelfof this affair, 

 and from men of difcernment, who h^d 

 taken fome pains in viliting and exami' 

 ning the fick faid to be bit ; among the 

 refl, the archbilhop of Otranto, of the 

 noble family of the Carraccioli of Naples. 



This- 



