From descriptive records the history of tarantism has been traced. The term tarantism as used by previous authors denotes two conditions: (1) a systemic reaction to the venom of a spider, Lycosa tarantula, and (2) a mass anxiety hysterical reaction to a spider scare which was fabulous in the extent of its incidence, morbidity, and mortality. The only effective therapy for the second condition was dancing to a particular type of music which had special characteristics of a sexual nature. A number of historical theories of etiology are enumerated, some of which hint at some aspects of the true etiology of tarantism. Some of the mass reaction manifested in the dancing mania was based on real fear. But the strongest basis for the etiology of tarantism lies in the symbolism, ambivalence, displacement, phobia formation and other ego defenses of the individual tarantists plus the psychodynamics manifested when the tarantists grouped themselves together.
American Imago was founded by Sigmund Freud and Hanns Sachs in the U.S. in 1939 as the successor to Imago, founded by Freud, Sachs, and Otto Rank in Vienna in 1912. Having celebrated its centenary anniversary in 2012, the journal retains its luster as the leading scholarly journal of psychoanalysis. Each issue features cutting-edge articles that explore the enduring relevance of Freud's legacy across the humanities, arts, and social sciences.
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American Imago
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