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the cat - World eBook Library

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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 />

50

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