LÂTAH
person filled with an inexplicable and unnatural delight in the contemplation of the positive end of a magnet, and when the negative end is sud- denly turned towards him, to see him instantly fall down unconscious as though struck by light- ning.
The sujets (there were two of them, a man and a woman) described the appearance of the positive end of the magnet as producing a beautiful blue flame about a foot high, so exquisite in colour and beauty that it transported them with delight. As to the negative end, they reluctantly explained, in hesi- tating words and with every appearance of dread, that there also was a flame, but a red one of fearful and sinister import.
I was deeply interested in these ‘‘ manifestations,” beth for their own strangeness and because [ had in the Malay Peninsula seen equally extraordinary proceedings of a somewhat similar kind.
Amongst Malays there is a well-known disease {I use the word for want of a better) called latah ; it is far more common at certain places than at others, and amongst certain divisions of the great Malay family. Thus while there is generally one or more orang lâtah to be found in every kampong in Krian,
where the Malays are mostly from Kědah, in other
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