UNREASONABLE FEAR OF RATS. 
19 
This is only one case out of many thousands that might be 
mentioned, where consequences infinitely more serious than 
even this have frequently occurred through this foolish fear 
of rats. 
The " Presse," of Paris, some time ago related an extraor- 
dinary case of death from fright. A young woman was 
passing near the Bue Cadet, when she suddenly fell to the 
ground, exclaiming " The rat ! the rat !" At first nobody 
could comprehend the meaning of her exclamations ; but ou 
being taken into a druggist's shop, and placed on a chair, a 
rat was seen to run from beneath her gown. It was then 
evident that the rat, which had come from a sewer just as 
she was passing, had got between her legs, and that, when 
she fell from fright, it had concealed itself under her 
clothing. She was taken home to her friends, in a state of 
delirium, which lasted four days, during which time the 
only words she uttered were " The rat ! the rat !" but on 
the evening of the fourth day she expired. 
Now here was a melancholy occurrence arising out of this 
immoderate fear of rats. What had the rat done to her ? 
Nothing whatever, except hiding in her clothes, and making 
its escape as soon as possible. Yet from the veriest fear she 
becomes deranged, and dies a maniac. I would that every 
female, and man too, were as brave and resolute as Mary 
Ann Gymer, who, at the police-office, stated that on the 
previous morning, while returning from market, the prisoner 
(whom she had given into custody) came behind her, and 
placed a live rat on her right shoulder. On turning her head, 
the creature made a bite at her face ; but the instant he let 
go its tail it sprang to the ground, and made its escape 
down an area grating. The prisoner stood laughing heartily 
at the outrage ; but such was her indignation at the daring 
of the fellow, that she ran up to him, and dealt him a most 
violent blow in the face with her pattens. The magistrate 
said he was not at all surprised at her inflicting summary 
vengeance on a man who had behaved so disgracefully to- 
wards her. The placing such a thing as a live rat upon her 
shoulder was enough to alarm her, and upon a more nervous 
person might have been attended with the most melancholy 
consequences. The magistrate gave the prisoner a severe 
admonition as to his future conduct, and assured him that, 
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