A Dancing Disease of Madagascar. (Brit. Med. Journ., Feb. 17th, 1900.)

Extract

Attention is drawn to Lasnet's notes on the Sakalavas or West Coast Malagasies published in the Annales d'Hygiène et de Médecine Coloniales, which include the description of a curious epidemic nervous affection met with amongst the natives. It begins suddenly, and consists of incessant shaking of the body, accompanied by irregular movements, incoherent speech, and delirium; the patients indulge in wild bacchanalian dances, finally falling to the ground panting and foaming at the mouth. Some clamber up the rocks, while others pass whole days in pools or rivers, declaring that they are forced to remain there by spirits. They present meanwhile a most wild appearance, and, if not dancing, walk straight before them with head erect and eyes constantly rolling. It is very communicable.