Snake-phobia

Only once has The Star printed a snake picture. That was two weeks ago when a Bungle cartoon carried in the comic supplement of the newspaper the picture of a snake, but it an imitation snake. Even so, readers of the Star who know Mr. Longan’s snake-phobia wonder how the picture escaped the eagle eye of the censor, wonder what Mr. Longan said when he saw that picture, how many men were fired after the discovery.

But Patrolman Ramseur, when confronted by anything that slides on its stomach, is as helpless as a little boy in the grip of a nightmare. He frankly admits it. So, you may well imagine the gentleman’s panic Monday afternoon when, riding peacefully to town, he heard a hissing noise on the back seat of his car, and, turning his head, saw coiled on his raincoat as big a blacksnake as ever gave a man cold chills. Patrolman Ramseur’s reaction, in view of his snake-phobia, does the man credit. Instead of wildly turning the car over, as was his first impulse, he drove gingerly until he reached several negroes, who, much to his relief, disposed of the snake in quick order.

A recently married young couple in which W. was treated as an individual patient for vaginismus preventing consummation, associated with a classical snake-phobia. This condition was relieved. But soon H., in his turn, came for help with complete impotence. This was relieved, and when we felt that all was set fair—back came W. with a relapse, snake-phobia and all!

The latest edition, of 13 August, looks at the events that have shaped the evolution of mankind, from snake-phobia to the anger-management techniques instrumental in the development of organised civilisation.