=THE CAT 



Ailurophobia 



My research brought to me indisputable evi- 

 dence concerning the large number of people in 

 whom the presence of a cat gives rise to a variety 

 of symptoms. In such persons, the feeling caused 

 by seeing a cat is instantaneous. In the asthma 

 victims, it is slower and cumulative, and may not 

 be felt at all for twenty minutes or more. Certain 

 persons, on seeing a cat, have other symptoms, with 

 or without oppression of breathing. There may 

 be only fear, terror, disgust. There may be added 

 chilly sensations, horripilation, weakness, locked 

 jaw, or, as in one case, fixed open jaw, rigidity 

 of arms, pallor, nausea, rarely vomiting, pro- 

 nounced hysterical convulsions, and even tempo- 

 rary blindness. These pass away with removal of 

 the cat, but in a few examples leave the sufferer 

 nervously disturbed for a day. Two report them- 

 selves as apt to have dreams of cats, what one of 

 them calls " cat mares." 



Five persons, three being women, are alarmed in 

 the presence of the greater cats, caged tigers or 

 lions. A soldier of distinction, much given when 

 younger to tiger hunting, is undisturbed by these 

 great felines, but terrified by the tame cat. 



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