Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra11121883roya).pdf/166

 I am tempted to supply instances of this phase of latah, but I refrain from doing so advisedly. The proof of what I have stated is in every one's hands, but I much question the good taste of anything of the character of an experiment in this direction, unless for a purely scientific purpose.

I have not myself experimented upon a latah for some years, and I have never done so without subsequent regret.

For it must be remembered, that the patient who at one's bidding stands on his head, picks up a red-hot piece of iron, or strikes a bystander twice his own size in the face, is perfectly conscious of the mental abasement which he is exhibiting, and resents his degradation most intensely.

I have always felt, however, that such exhibitions degrade the European as much as they do the Malay.

The last division of the subject which I have to notice here, is the manifestation of the disease exclusively amongst women. The popular character of this Journal forbids my entering into details or illustrations under this heading.

Still I think I may, without seeming unduly realistic, so far touch upon sufferers of this class as to complete my review of the whole subject.

Latah, while happily rare amongst young women, is common amongst those of mature age, while of old women a largeish percentage is affected.

In the younger sufferers, as might be expected, there is found an entire absence of "virtue" and moral self-restraint (seldom a pro- minent characteristic of Malay belles).

But it is very startling to find that the disease, where present in females of advanced age, manifests itself, when set in action in the same direction, in a way which seems entirely to contradict the accepted laws of our bodily constitution.

That a word, a look, or a gesture can in a moment lead a woman of seventy-five to conduct herself like a hetaira of twenty, is a phe-