Tarantism

Alleged poisoning by the bite of Lycosa tarantula, first described in the 11th century. The ‘illness’, associated with a fierce dance rage, occured mainly in the south of Italy from the 15th to 17th century. A cause is not known, but it was possibly the heat (it always occured in summer). Or it was a hysterical phenomenon related to the dance craze in the Middle Ages, with which it was sometimes confused as well. The dance, which was seen as a treatment, is called ‘Tarantella’ and exists in many variations.