The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-02-16

LOGK-JANV.-It was formerly and in
deed until very recently believed. that the
bite of the Tarantula. Gan insect in ltaly,)
was poisonous, and could only be cured by
music.
The bite, "although at FIRST not more pain
full than the sting OF a bee, soon occasioned
great anguish, and then stupcflction; that
the pulse became weak, the sight dim, and
that death wolld speedily ensue witholt
prompt succour; thar when person who
had been bitten, was lying insensible, il a
musician tried different tunes on different
Instruments, (far the same tune and the
same instrument would not do for every onc)
and hit upon that, the mo1ulatons of which
suited the patient, the latter would first eX.
hibit slight motion, then beat time with
his fingers, his arms, his feet; and evcntu-
ally would stand up, and Begin dancing; that
! ifthis treatment were repeated, in the course
of week o: ten days, the venom would
cease TO operate, aud the patient would a.
wake. as it were, from sound sleep, with.
cut any recollection OF what had passed: but
that sometimes he became melancholy, shun-
ned society, fr4quented banks OF the rivers,
! into which, II not watched, he would throw
| himself hated black and blue clothes; and
on the contrary was foud Of white, green, red
| &c"
Such was the received opinion of physio-
logists for long time. Locke asserts the
| fact, and Johnson quotes it in his dictionary.
1t has been ascertained, however, that the
bite of the insect is not always poisonous,
but that particular habit or condition of the
body is necessary for the active operation Of
the virus. And a severe case has lately been
cured at Naples, by administering quinquna
tAf 81, r ~
erceable medicine than music. yet we are
inclined to believe it far more eHettnal. Still
it is not impossible that music may have al
important influence upon a deranged system
and we have lately heard of a circum-
stance in this city, which if true, would &c
far in support of the theory. We may be
laughed at--but we will state the case, and
are ready to give names if requested.
young lady Of this city, the daughter of {
professional gentleman, in consequence, we
believe, of Il hurt, was taken with the lock
; jaw. During eight days, the disease bafHet
every effort to remove it, and the life of the
sufferer was given over. BY some sign, She
, intimated to her sisters that she wished Il
hear a favorte hymn sung, (the last il
Dwight's collection.) The sisters compiled
; and observed that the music had a soothin,
influence upon her system. Soon she bcga,
to beat the time with her fingers. The sis
: tiers continued to sing several hymns, an,
: recurring to the favorite one, what was thei
astonishment--their joy--ther delight-t
perceive that the lock-jaw had left her, an,
t she family joined in the song Hopes ar
D entertained of her recoyery.-.N York ia.
Jpet Feet.--How often do we see peopl
trampling about in the mud, with leathe
soaked through, and how often DO such pco
! pie when they retiirn home, sit down by tn
: FIRE side and permit their feet to dry, with
S out either changing stockings or shoes. Ca
4, we then wonder at the coughing and bark
0 ing and rheumatism and Inflammation, whic