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Ailurophobia<br />
=THE CAT<br />
My research brought to me indisputable evi-<br />
dence concerning <strong>the</strong> large number of people in<br />
whom <strong>the</strong> presence of a <strong>cat</strong> gives rise to a variety<br />
of symptoms. In such persons, <strong>the</strong> feeling caused<br />
by seeing a <strong>cat</strong> is instantaneous. In <strong>the</strong> asthma<br />
victims, it is slower and cumulative, and may not<br />
be felt at all for twenty minutes or more. Certain<br />
persons, on seeing a <strong>cat</strong>, have o<strong>the</strong>r symptoms, with<br />
or without oppression of breathing. There may<br />
be only fear, terror, disgust. There may be added<br />
chilly sensations, horripilation, weakness, locked<br />
jaw, or, as in one case, fixed open jaw, rigidity<br />
of arms, pallor, nausea, rarely vomiting, pro-<br />
nounced hysterical convulsions, and even tempo-<br />
rary blindness. These pass away with removal of<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>cat</strong>, but in a few examples leave <strong>the</strong> sufferer<br />
nervously disturbed for a day. Two report <strong>the</strong>m-<br />
selves as apt to have dreams of <strong>cat</strong>s, what one of<br />
<strong>the</strong>m calls " <strong>cat</strong> mares."<br />
Five persons, three being women, are alarmed in<br />
<strong>the</strong> presence of <strong>the</strong> greater <strong>cat</strong>s, caged tigers or<br />
lions. A soldier of distinction, much given when<br />
younger to tiger hunting, is undisturbed by <strong>the</strong>se<br />
great felines, but terrified by <strong>the</strong> tame <strong>cat</strong>.<br />
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