Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra11121883roya).pdf/160

 which these phenomena seem naturally to fall, without any attempt at their scientific classification.

In this class, I would place those subjects who appear to be affected merely by such excess of nervous sensibility as is exemplified by starting unduly at the sound of an unexpected and loud noise, or at the sight of an unexpected and distressing or alarming incident.

So far, it might be said that, under parallel circumstances, a similar exhibition might be expected from any unit of any nation of the human race. But, having observed Malay latahs on numberless occasions under the above conditions, I have noticed two peculiarities which seem to differentiate the mental shock which they undergo from that which Europeans experience under like circumstances.

Firstly, their irresistible impulse seems to be to strike out at the nearest object, animate or inanimate, and, secondly, their involuntary exclamation is always characterised by what I must call obscenity.

I cannot here enter into any particulars of this latter characteristic, but, so far as I have observed, and I have observed with careful interest, this element is never absent from the cry of a startled latah, who may, on ordinary occasions, appear the essence of propriety.

I touch upon this point, because I believe it to be noteworthy, and when I come to speak of some of the peculiarities of latah women, I believe I shall be pardoned by those who may be interested in the pathological view of the question.

In this class, I would place those sufferers whose nervous emotions are unduly excited without apparent, or, at all events, without adequate cause.

To proceed at once to illustration. [{nop}}