±80 
FORESt AND STREAM, 
[Aug. It, 1806. 
MIMETIC DISEASES. 
The following is a circular issued by the American 
Anti-Vivisection Society. It was written by Matthew 
Woods, M.D., Mernber of the Philadelphia County Medi- 
cal Association and of the American Medical Association: 
In connection with the letter the American Anti- Vi- 
visection Society is sending to the newspapers of the land, 
on the subject of "Hydrophobia as a Simulated Disease," 
having more to do with scare than virus, it may be well 
by way of sequel to say a few words in reference to that 
class of maladies which might be characterized mimetic, 
and also to that variety of person poBseseing a disposition 
to acquire, through the medium of abnormal fancy, dis- 
eases of which he bas no symptoms except those recog- 
nized by unaided sight. 
The influence of the mind over the body, and vice versa, 
is a question so broad that half has not yet been told, and 
it remains, perhaps, for some Columbus of the future to 
discovfr that exalted or depressed psychic conditions 
have much to do with the production of many of the phe- 
nomena of even religion, literature and art, as they are 
already known to be important factors in the creation of 
various nervous states. 
Just as to a hungry man the idea of food excites the 
secretion of saliva, literally "making his mouth water," 
and reflecting on sorrow causes the secretion of tears, and 
consequently the emotional states of which these are but 
the visible manifestations, thus the thought of certain 
maladies produces sometimes, in the easily impressed, 
tlieir mental conception and subjective symptoms so dis- 
tinctly that they are sufficiently the victims of the disease 
they imagme, to deceive not only themselves and their 
friends, but also the doctor. 
' This disposition to assume a distemper, though they have 
it not, is confined to no class, sex or condition, but equal- 
ly common to all. 
The junior student of medicine, whether male or fe- 
male, frequently appropriates the disease at the time under 
investigation in his class, so that during the college year the 
more suscf ptible may have all the disorders described in 
the curriculum, while even the most stoical may have 
imagined himself into at least one. 
It is a familiar fact that at the close of many of the 
discourses delivered, say, from the Chair of the Practice 
of Medicine the professor is privately consulted by stu- 
dents suffering from all the symptoms described; and this 
imitative peculiarity is not limited to such ailments as 
disease of the heart, consumption, Basedow's disease, 
gall-stone, cancer of the pancreas or appendicitis, but 
some have been known to become hemiplegic — viz., in- 
capable of motion and sensation in the right or left half 
of the body, as the case may be — during a realistic lec- 
ture on cerebral apoplexy; others seized with violent 
"pain in the knee" dm-ing an elucidation of the symptoms 
and pathology of Potts's disease, while there are reports 
of students acquiring all the subjective symptoms of dis- 
location or fracture, because of the impression made upon 
their minds by the lecturer while discussing these surgical 
states. 
Thus we see that hydrophobia, as conceived by the lay 
mind, is not the only disorder honored by imitation. 
The philosophic physician understands the significance 
of the phrase "expectant attention," knows that with 
some patients it is but necessary to indicate a certain line 
in the development of a distemper in order to have them 
follow it, or, as Dr. W. B. Carpenter puts it, "the thoughts 
and feelings, when left to follow their own course by 
suppression of the controlling power of the will, may be 
determined by suggestions either from within or with- 
out." 
The epidemic dancing mania which swept over Italy 
some centuries ago, and which was called tarantism be- 
cause of its supposed origin in the bite of the tarantulus- — 
Ijycosa tarantula — is another illustration of the power of 
the mind over the body, as is also the facility with which 
certain people acquire "hydrophobia" and recover from 
it, unless treated by Pasteur or his men. 
Tarantism, the Italian affection, differed from the French 
endemic, St. Vitus' dance, with which it was contempo- 
raneous, inasmuch as the movements of the tarantati, ex- 
cept when in a condition of lethargy, were stately and 
graceful, were modified by looking at red colors and lumi- 
nous surfaces, and cured by music. 
Although the sufferers were sometimes subjected to such 
treatment as being buried up to the neck in earth, yet the 
success of music as a remedy was so invariable that a class 
of tunes and songs was composed called tarantella, for 
their cure, and no patient seemed to think that it was the 
"correct thing" to get well except through the aid of 
music. 
No age or social condition, it would appear, was ex- 
empt from this imaginary disorder, for we read of a 
"philosophic bishop" who allowed himself to be bitten by 
the tarantula, and then dancing with all the delirious gro- 
tesquerie of the peasant. 
iNow, however, expectant attention not being in that 
direction in Italy, the people may be bitten again and 
again by the ground spider without their becoming tar- 
antistic. 
St. Vitus' dance,* an epidemic that broke out in 
France in 1374, is another illustration of unconscious 
mimicry, which is, "in fact, the result of the 'hold' 
taken by the mind of an idea suggested to it, that hold 
being the stronger in proportion to the >vant of other 
sources of healthful activity." 
This dancing seizure, which began usually in an epi- 
leptic convulsion and ended in exhaustion or death, with 
a long series of curious capers between, also affected per- 
sons in all stations of lite. Peasants abandoned their 
fields, shoemakers their benches, clerks their desks, even 
clergymen, forgetting the dignity due their profession, 
joined furious multitudes, forming circles in the streets, 
and after the initial spasm, losing all control of their 
senses, danced deliriously for hours, until they fell to the 
ground in almost lifeless collapse. 
Daring these j aroxysms the possessed saw the heavens 
open, revealing the Saviour enthroned with the Virgin; 
others were haunted with visions of spirits or demons, 
whose names they shrieked out, according as their reli- 
gious notions of the age were variously reflected in their 
imaginations. 
Vehemence so deprived them of their senses that many 
* 8t. Vitus' dance of the Middle Ages was not exactly the same 
diBease as St. Vitus' dance of lo-day— chorea; yet chorea too is so apt 
to be imitaied that it is not well to expose perhons suffering from it 
to public gaze, as it is liable to produce its counterpart by the mere 
pownn ot mimicry in the persons, especially oiiildren, who behold it. 
dashed their brains out against walls and comers of 
buildings, or rushed headlong into rivers and were 
drowned. Roaring and foaming as they were, bystand- 
ers could only restrain them by placing benches and 
chairs in their way, in the hope that the high leap neces- 
sary to get over them might impede their progress to 
destruction. Yet after these attacks many returned to 
their former employments as if nothing had happened^ 
while thcu3ands paid the penalty of their infatuation by 
health shattered beyond recovery or often even by death. 
In the light of the above illustrations of the power of 
the mind over the body — for these were not ill in the 
ordinary sense, nor were they malingerers who assumed 
sickness for gain — it is not strange that many people 
among us, having been previously bitten by dogs, uncon- 
sciously simulate what are to them symptoms of hydro- 
phobia. From childhood familiar with storits of horrible 
death from the bite of rabid animals, it would be singular 
indeed, expectant attention being thus created, if at least 
a few, under the influence of ideo-motor action rather 
than rabies, did nut produce replicas of that "series of 
symptims" falsely called hydrophobia, and so lose control 
of their reason as to re-enact for us the familiar antics of 
"getting down on all fours," "barking like dogs," "foam- 
ing at the bill," as Goldsmith says of a hydrophobic goose 
while writing derisively of this curious possession, "going 
into convulsions at the sight of water," and finally making 
a tragical denouement between the traditional feather beds, 
or worse — being sent for treatment to some institute of 
P^isteur. 
When, in connection with this tendency on the part of 
certain impressible persons to develop symptoms of dis- 
eases they do not have, we are aware that "dread and in- 
ability to swallow water, associated with convulsive move- 
ments and psychic manifestations," are common features 
of at least thirty other diseases besides hydrophobia, then 
it can be understood that even the best medical men — 
lyssc phobic themselves — may sometimes be "guilty of 
such errors in diagnosis as may result in fatal errors of 
treatment." 
This in itself is a striking illustration of the pernicious 
influence of the common belief in regard to hydrophobia f 
Under the influence of a dominant idea, the intensity 
of which "blinds the common sense and subjugates the 
will," man has often been controlled by curious fancies. 
There has perhaps never been a period in semi-barbaric 
or even civilized history when pathologic or rather 
symptomatic mimicry did not exist, and the experience 
of that physician must be limited indeed who has not 
met patients blind with perfect eyes, deaf with sound 
ears, and weak beyond hope with the muscular develop- 
ment of a Hercules. 
Evanescent psychic rather than physical conditions 
these — curiosities somewhat to the general practitioner, 
yet common to the specialist — requiring for their cure not 
so much drugs as moral suasion and discretion. 
Of the same nature, yet more in the domain of what 
might be called theologic delusions, were the Pythonic 
inspirations of Delphic priestesses, the Flagellant proces- 
sions of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the gro- 
tCEque performances of the Convulsionnaires of St. 
Medard, the reception of the Stigmata, the Tigretier cf 
Abyssinia, the Leaping Ague of Scotland — the intelligent 
reader can supply many varieties of modern creation — all 
illustrations of now well-known forms of ideo-motor 
attion, intensified by emotional excitement, rather than 
specimens of definite disease; and as these, undi r the 
light of deliberate scientific investigation, are to a great 
extent eliminated from the religious life of the day, can 
we not hope for the time when "hydrophobia" also may 
be relegated to the limbo of abandoned vagariet? 
t See Dr. DuUes's "Diseases Mistaken for Hydrophobia." 
Spaniels and Field Trials. 
Boston. — Editor Forest and Stream: With profound 
regret I read the circular letter of the American Spaniel 
Club, published in Forest and Stream of Aug. 8. I felt 
a keen disappointment. Everything seemed to be within 
reach of the club, and nothing was needed to insure the 
success of the trials save the entries. Mr. Bloodgood had 
offered the use of a large tract of land for the running of 
the trials in Massachusetts and there were great numbers 
of dogs to draw upon for entries, the dogs being owned 
by many owners distributed in territory as nicely as could 
be for tne support of a trial. And here fell an important 
spaniel interest from no other cause than inexcusable 
apathy. It will take the field feature of the spaniel in- 
terest many years to recover from this setback, if it ever 
does so. An attempt ending in such total failure is much 
worse than no attempt. Tne owners of fcpaniels can now 
go on breeding without any reference to field form, for it 
would be folly to claim that there is any use for the 
spaniel in the field, after the admission that there is not 
any one who uses them for that purpose, conveyed in the 
fact that there was no one who made entries. If there 
are one or two men who do use them for field work, the 
presumption is that they are indulging a personal fancy, 
and in any event such a small minority does not establisli 
the usefulness of the spaniel any more than would two 
or three men establish the use of the dachshund as a quail 
dog, were they to use him for that purpose. 
Field trials of dogs or trials of beauty on the bench do 
not establish themselves by merely announcing that the 
clubs intend to hold them. They must work tor success 
in their line as men work for success in other lines. Often 
the success or failure rests with the secretary. If he sits 
idly by waiting for entries to come in, and waiting for 
the possible patrons to make the affair a success by their 
own efforts, he will probably report to his club that the 
affair is a failure, that the public wants none of it. But 
let the secretary be wide-awake and industrious, know 
his duties and know men and their abilities — in short, 
have the proper executive functions — and the whole re- 
sults change. Success comes from the working for it. A 
perfunctory executive may do very well for routine office 
work, but not for work which requires the genius of en- 
thusiasm and tireless industry. To merely say "we are 
going to give a trial," and then let matters drift along as 
they may, is not the proper way to conduct matters, 
Members and owners must be written to, other members 
and owners must be urged to personally urge the merits 
of tho trials on the indifferent, the neglectful the timor- 
ous and the hopeless. Energy and good sense is needed 
from start to finish. There must be a general esjarit de 
corps reflected from the energy of the leaders. 
I for one, who has at heart the success of the useful and 
beautiful little dog, the spaniel, deeply regret the failure 
to hold the trials, the more so as all the circumstances 
seemed so auspicious for their success, and failure comes 
alone from apathy. Cookek. 
M. F. T. C.'s Entries. 
Manitou, Man., Aug. 4, — Editor Forest and Stream: 
I herewith inclose you list of entries for the Manitoba 
Field Trials Club's Derby, While dot so large as last 
year, still large enough to make good trials, with per- 
haps a larger number of starters than last year. I hope 
such may be the case. All were whelped in 1895: 
E. C. Johnson's Queen of Morocco, b,, w. and t, setter 
bitch (Spot B — Mias Monk). 
W. F. Ellis's Popsy Wopsy, 1. and w. setter bitch (Duke 
of Manitoba — Dora M.). 
W. F, Ellis's Dr. Jamieson, b. and w. setter dog (Val 
lit — Ross). 
F. J. G. McArthur's Mingo Kent, 1. and w. pointer 
bitch (Strideaway— Clip o' Kent). 
F. J. G. McArthur's Fiingo Strideaway, 1. and w. pointer 
dog, same litter, 
E. McKenney's Barrister, b. and w. setter dog (Val Lit — 
Cam Sing). 
E. McKenney's Maid of the Mom, b. b. setter bitch, 
same litter. 
John Wootton's Ben Bondhu, b, and w. setter dog (Dick 
Bondhu II.— Maud a Rose), 
John Wootton's Sue Bondhu, b. and w. setter bitch, 
same litter. 
John Wootton's Rosa Bondhu, b., w. and t, setter bitch, 
same litter, 
James D, Boston & Co.'s Florence Gladstone II., b., w. 
and t. setter bitch (Antonio — Florence Gladstone). 
W. R. Holliday's Billy T., b. and w. setter dog (Revenue 
— Daisy Bondhu). 
T. W. O'Byrne's Moerlein's b. and w. pointer dog (Rip 
Rap — Belle of Ossian). 
T. W. O'Byrne's Redskin, lem. and w. pointer dog 
(Love's Kent— Fritz Fay). 
H. K. Milner's Almeda, 1. and w. pointer bitch (Rip 
Rap, Jr. — Prairie Belle). 
W. I. Love's La Dolle, lem. and w. pointer bitch (Love's 
Kent— Fritz Fay). 
Dr. George Eubank's Redstone, b., w. and t. setter dog 
(Cirich — Rod's Flounce), 
Dr. George Eubnnk^s Ripstone, b, and w, pointer dog 
(Rip Rap— Pearl's Dot). 
Del Monte Kennels' Tick's Kid, b. and w. pointer doe 
(Tick Boy— Lulu K.). 
Del Monte Kennels' Tony Works, 1. and w. pointer dog, 
same littter. 
H. Ames's Quenn, b,, w, and t, setter bitch (Blue Ridge 
Mark— Lou R.). 
H. Ames's Christena, b,, w. and t. setter bitch, same 
litter. 
S. P. Jones's Hurstbourne Zip, b., w, and t. setter dog 
(Tony Boy — Dimple). 
J. J. Odom's Count Odom, o. and w, setter dog (Count 
Gladstone IV. — Topsy Avent). 
H, H. Maybury's Alabama Girl, 1, and w. pointer bitch 
(Von Arrow — Lady Mull). 
John Wootton, Hon. Sec'y-Treas, 
International Derby Entries. 
Chatham, Ont,, Aug. 8. — Editor Forest and Stream: Be- 
low you will find International Derby entries. Although 
the entry list is small, owing to distemper taking nearly 
all last year's puppies, just as much interest is taken in 
the trials; and the All- age and Amateur stakes will be 
well filled. 
The trials will be held at Mitchell Bay, except the Ama- 
teur stake, which will be run under the heat system, near 
Chatham, on the day before the regular trials, Nov. 16. 
Birds have bred well and will be plentiful; cover will 
be good, owing to the frequent showers. 
HKATEtBE, Bloom — H. Marshall Graydon's b., w, and t. 
English setter bitch (Dash Antonio — Bly), 
Drenagh — J. B, McKay's Irish setter dog (Finglas — 
River Roe). 
FOTLB — J. B. McKay's Irish setter bitch (Finglas — River 
Roe). 
SiRius — Stephen Lusted's b., w. and t. English setter 
dog (Dash Antonio— Bly). 
Spotted Star — Samuel Holme's liv. and w. pointer dog 
(Lord Graphic's Star — Spotted Girl). 
Maud W. — Leamington Pointer Kennels' b. and w. 
pointer bitch (Plain Sam — Beppo's Mollie). 
Frank — Albert Drouillard's Irish setter dog (Fingalen — 
Fawn). 
Joe — T. G. Davey's b. and w. pointer dog (Plain Sam^ — 
Beppo's Mollie). 
Heather— T. G. Davey's b., w. and t. English setter 
bitch (Brighton Tobe— Norah). 
Lucy — T, G. Davey's b., w. andt. setter bitch (Bright- 
on Tobe— Norah). 
Grace- T. G. Davey's o. and w. setter bitch (Brighton 
Dick— Lady Mack). 
Mellbrook — R. Banghaus's b., w. and t, setter dog 
(Dash Antonio— Patty). W. B. WELLS,^Hon. Sec'y. 
Union Field Trials. 
Indianapolis, Ihd., Aug. 8. — Editor Forest and Stream: 
The transfer of the Continental Field Trials Club's Bick- 
neU trials to the South left a very large part of the country 
without trials. This being a fact, the dog men of this 
territory have deemed it wise to supply the vacancy, and 
have therefore organized the Union Field Trials Club, and 
wfll hold trials the first week in November either atBick- 
nell or Carlisle. The club will run two stakes, a Derby 
and an All- Age stake. The breeds in each stake will 
run together. 
The stakes wiU be run on the percentage plan. The 
officers and judges will charge nothing for their services, 
therefore the expenses will consist of postage, printing, 
traveling, hotel and living expenses of the secretary and 
two judges, besides the pay for services of two fence men, 
therefore the expenses will be a small item. The entries 
to the Derby will close Sept. 15 with $5 forfeit and $10 to 
start. The entries to the All- Age state wiU close Oct. 15 
with $5 forfeit and $10 to start. After deducting the ex- 
penses the balance will be divided 40 per cent, to first, 30 
per cent, to second, 20 per cent, to third and 10 per cent, 
to fourth, 
