What could account so entirely for his ways and actions as that strange poisoning which produces the state they call tarantism?
"A Mortal Antipathy"
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
These effects consisted of a feigned or imaginary disease known as tarantism, which was prevalent in Apulia and other portions of southern Italy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
"Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery"
Robert Means Lawrence
Indeed, Dr. H. Chomet, who diligently investigated the matter, never succeeded in finding a case of tarantism, nor was he able even to obtain a glimpse of one of these insects.
"Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery"
Robert Means Lawrence