“The following extracts from the work of the celebrated Italian physician of the last century are given by the writer of the paper in the Giornale in the original Latin, with a translation into Italian, subjoined.  Here are the extracts, or rather here is a selection from them, with a translation of them into English.

“After mentioning the singular aversion to certain colors shown by the subject of Tarantism, Baglivi writes as follows:  “’Et si astantes incedant vestibus eo colore difusis, qui Tarantatis ingrates est, necesse est ut ab illorum aspectu recedant; nam ad intuitum molesti coloris angore cordis, et symptomatum recrudescantia stating corripiuntur.’ (G.  Baglivi, Op.  Omnia, page 614.  Lugduni, 1745.)

“That is, ’if the persons about the patient wear dresses of the color which is offensive to him, he must get away from the sight of them, for on seeing the obnoxious color he is at once seized with distress in the region of the heart, and a renewal of his symptoms.’

“As to the recurrence of the malady, Baglivi says:  “’Dam calor solis ardentius exurere incip at, quod contingit circa initia Julii et Augusti, Tarantati lente venientem recrudescentiam veneni percipiunt.’ (Ibid., page 619.)

“Which I render, ’When the heat of the sun begins to burn more fiercely, which happens about the beginning of July and August, the subjects of Tarantism perceive the gradually approaching recrudescence (returning symptoms) of the poisoning.  Among the remedies most valued by this illustrious physician is that mentioned in the following sentence: 

“’Laudo magnopere equitationes in aere rusticano factas singulis diebus, hord potissimum matutina, quibus equitationibus morbos chronicos pene incurabiles protanus eliminavi.’

“Or in translation, ’I commend especially riding on horseback in country air, every day, by preference in the morning hours, by the aid of which horseback riding I have driven off chronic diseases which were almost incurable.’”

Miss Vincent read this paper aloud to Dr. Butts, and handed it to him to examine and consider.  He listened with a grave countenance and devout attention.

As she finished reading her account, she exclaimed in the passionate tones of the deepest conviction,

“There, doctor!  Have n’t I found the true story of this strange visitor?  Have n’t I solved the riddle of the Sphinx?  Who can this man be but the boy of that story?  Look at the date of the journal when he was eleven years old, it would make him twenty-five now, and that is just about the age the people here think he must be of.  What could account so entirely for his ways and actions as that strange poisoning which produces the state they call Tarantism?  I am just as sure it must be that as I am that I am alive.  Oh, doctor, doctor, I must be right,—­this Signprino M . . .  Ch . . . was the boy Maurice Kirkwood, and the story accounts for everything,—­his solitary habits, his dread of people,—­it must be because they wear the colors he can’t bear.  His morning rides on horseback, his coming here just as the season was approaching which would aggravate all his symptoms, does n’t all this prove that I must be right in my conjecture,—­no, my conviction?”