Evening Star Newspaper, February 28, 1933, Page 12

INSANITY INNORTH | HAS WEIRD FORMS| “Witiko Psychosis,” Craving for Human Flesh, Attacks Indian Tribes. BY THOMAS R. HENRY. insanity develop under the Weird forms of among primitive peoples northern lights. 8 Some hitherto unknown manilesta- tions of mental discase frorf the Arctic wildernesses ot Northern Canada are described in reports to the Catholic Anthropological Conference with head- quarters at Catholic University here. The most dreaded is repor by Rev. Dr. John M. Cooper, professor of an- thropology at Catholic University, as the “Witiko pgvchosis” in which the ! Indian develoyS a den craving for human flesh and iden! s himself with *he Witiko, a legandary cannibalistic | giant of the forests with a heart of ice. The malady is fairly common, Dr. Cooper reports, and it formerly was the practice to kill anybody afflicted with it. Many Starve to Death. It is a disease, he believes, which gprings from the environment and cul- ture of the Northern tribes and prob- ably could not be duplicated anywhere else in the world. In the first place, he ains, the Indians often go hungry Winter and ore 1 there prob- from in the ts 10 the if human flesh tends to cvercome nal But, Dr. Cooper explains, just cannibalism is an ever present possi- bility society for its own protection has developed rigid taboos against it. A profound horror of the practice is incul- cated in the Indian child from the cradle. Thus there arises in the mind of the hungry man or woman during the long Winter a profound conflict be- tween starvation and the rigid taboo. The taboo is so strong that, in the concept of the Indians, cannibalism is impossible for a human being. It is against nature. From this it follows logically, in the reasoning of the prim- itive man, that if a human being does turn to this practice he or she must no longer be human, but must have been transformed into somethiing else—a su- pernatural creature of some kind. ‘The concept of ice-hearted, canni- balistic giants—the Witikos—inhabit- ing the Winter forests is strongly grounded in the folk-lore of the North- ern peoples. Dr. Cooper traces the idea back through Indian mythology to a symbolization of the spirit of Winter with its heart of ice. It also “devours” men and women in its storms and snow- drifts. It represents the extreme peril. But the symbolization long since has been forgotten. The Witiko is looked upon as a reality. Even Indians who have become greatly Europeanized, Dr. Cooper found, cannot free their minds of belief in these ice-hearted giants. Transformed Into Witiko. Now since a human being, as the In- dians reason, cannot in the very nature of things crave human flesh, if one does, it follows logically that he can- not be a human being any longer, but in some way has been transformed into a Witiko. It is not the unfortunate victim's fault if, by some supernatural agency and without his own connivance, he has been changed over into one of these horrible creatures and it furnishes a means of casing the conscience for violating the most rigid taboo of the tribe. Hence a natural craving and its rationalization according to the pattern of tribal m; logy go hand in hand to produce the strange psychosis. The Witiko psychosis is recognized in the tribes. The power of suggestion is strong. So it may not require actual hunger to produce the condition in a naturally unstable personality. Mental disturbances tend to follow folk pat- terns and the Witiko pattern is easily available. ‘The essential part of the remedy, as described by the Indians to Dr. Cooper, was for the victim to swallow hot bear grease to melt the heart of ice. This procedure probably has considerable suggestive power in returning the pa- tient to normal. In former times the victim sometimes was killed if this cure CAPITAL ART GALLERY and AUCTION ROOMS, Inc. 724 Thirteenth St. N. W. ESTATE SALE Rare Art Goods, Silverware, Enamels and Carved Ivories redeemed from Provident Loan Society of New York City Sale includes a collection of Persian and Oriental Rugs, Diamond and Platinum Jew- elry, Chinaware and Brica- Brac, without reserve or limit, to the highest bidder. Sale Starts 1 P. M. Each Day Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri., Feb. 28, March 1, March 2, March 3 EXHIBITION MORNINGS EVENING SESSIONS 8 P.M. Thanks to | MENTHOLAUM T TR my COLD! “Good-bye, stopped-up nose, sneezing,and coughing! That stuffy feeling in my head is gone,and I can breathe freely through my nostrils again— thanks to Mentholatum !” If you want speedy relief Minute Mysteries Solution to LURKING DEATH. See Page A—3 ‘Because upon arrival, Kelly and Fordney found the FRONT DOOR OPEN! Now go back to the story. LOVE CAN HOPE WHERE REASON WOULD DESPAIR— —Lytelton. failed. He was considered too danger- ous to remain alive. Cree children, Dr. Cooper says, are strictly prohibited from eating ice. The parents fear that it will make them Witikos. The victim of “Witiko madness” fights | against the cannibalistic impulses and | sometimes the effect is to bring about a complete withdrawal from all human society. Such a case is described in a report to the Catholic Anthropological Conference from Rev. J. E. Saindon, a missionary on the west coast of James Bay, who was sometimes called upon to treat cases of insanity amiong the| people. One such case was that of a woman who shut herself up in her tent and refused to see or talk with any one.| When Father Saindon visited her she| told him that when anybody except| her husband or her children npprom:hcd: her they became metamorphosed in her | eyes into dangerous animals—wolves, | bears and lynxes. She was driven by the desire to kill them to protect her- self. Yet she knew all the time that they were human beings. Her only pro- | tection was to seclude herself so that she would not see anybody. “Indian Fear” Malady. reason an Indian becomes stricken with an intense, unreasoning fear while hunting, loses all control of himself, ang starts to run madly until he falls exhausted. Thenceforth he cannot en- dure being alone. The missionary de- scribes the case of one man who was quite normal when in the company of others, but as soon as he was left alone began to hear voices which followed him until he was driven into a_frenzy. He was attacked while duck hunting with his wife. Afterward he never was able to go out alone. Shortly afterward the man’s brother was attacked with the same malady while visiting his trap line. At first, as he described it afterward, he felt queer and tired. Suddenly this changed into an uncontrollable madness. He start- ed to run, not knowing where he was going or what he was doing. He con- tinued until he dropped exhausted in the snow, where he lay for a iong time, unconscious of his surroundings. PFinal- 1y he regained cornsciousness und recog- | nized where he was and the way home. It was a journey of two or three hours. He was chilled and tired, yet, as he de- scribed it, some irresiggible feeling pre- vented him from following the known route. Instead he felt himself impelled intact and gave forth distinct sounds to follow his own footsteps back. Since | aftcr an estimated silence of 3,000 then he never has been able to go out ' years. 100% PURE PENNSYLVANIA. Another strange mental disease among the James Bay people which was encountered by Father Saindon is | known as “Indian fear” and-acts like | an epidemic. For some unaccountable utocrat three years, millions of people making use of insurance to the last have been save themselves from the devastations of readjustment as well as to restore values alone by night or day. As soon as he is left alone the dness comes and he must run from the pursuing volces. ‘When others are around he apparently is normal, EXCHANGE PHOTOGRAPHS ANNUAL COMMANDERS’ BALL OF S. C. V. TUESDAY Proceeds From Affair Will Be Confederate Home, 1322 Vermont ave- nue. Members of the Reception Commit- tee include Mrs. Pred Lewis Volland, Mrs. George B. Puller, Mrs. R. D. Whitehurst, Mrs. Richard A. Allen, Stimson and Debuchi Give Each Other Tokens of Friendship. Ambassador Debuchi of Japan left the office of Secretary of State Stimson yesterday carrying a photograph of the Secretary, inscribed “To my friend, Katsuji Debuchi, Ambassador of Ja- pan.” Mr. Stimson received a similar token from the Ambassador. “In the last 17 months Secretary Stimson and I have had many conver- sations and we are very good friends, Ambassador Debuchi remarked to re- porters as he concluded his visit, which, he said, was entirely social. s s 1 Ancient Harps Still Play. Harps have been discovered in Egyp- tlan tombs, the strings of which were the affair wi THE FINEST fights heat. MOTOR OIL Utilized by Confederate Me- morial Association. 8ons of Confederate Veterans, Camp No. 365, @il hold its annual com- manders’ ball at the Willard Hotel next Tuesd-il‘ night. be utilized by the Con- federate Memorial Association and the ' Ji ..1 WOULDN'T SLEEP A WINK . Myers, Benjamil and Elton O. Pillow. Amon; . Willlam C. 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At the same time the primary purpose, that of providing incomes and substantial sums to families after the death of the income pro- ducer, continued to be accomplished. Another three billion dollars has been paid to policyholders in the last three years by fire and casualty insurance companies. Insurance companies were able to meet promptly all their obligations during a period when credit conditions generally were strin- gent. Loans to holders of life insurance pol- icies were made promptly upon the sole secu- rity of their contracts. This noteworthy performance is evidence of the ability of insurance to adjust itself to changing conditions; an ability that justi- fied the faith of even the staunchest friends of insurance. 'Millions of Individfials and Families are Benefited Some evidence of the extent to which the public has been helped by The Travelers Companies alone during the last three years of stress is shown by the disbursement of 460 millions of dollars in policy benefits, in- cluding policy loans, during that period. The distribution of this sum has required the issu- ance of three million checks and bank drafts. The payments were widespread and the flow of money into persenal, family and corpor- AsseTs Other Public Bonds . . Railroad Bonds and Stocks Public Utility Bonds and Stocks Other Bonds and Stocks . . First Mortgage Loans . . . RealEstate. . . . . . Loans on Company’s policies . Cash on hand and in Banks Interest accrued 2 Premiums due and deferred . All Other Assets . o . . ToTAL . United States Government Bonds$80,545,615.00 . $674,492,525.31 REservES AND ALL oTHER LiasiLiTies Life Insurance Reserves . $559,335,165.47 Accident and Health Insurance . Reserves . . . 9,475,162.90 Workmen’s Compensation and Liability Insurance Reserves Reserve for Taxes . Other Reserves and Liabilities. Contingency Reserve . . . Special Reserve Capital . . Surplus . . 88,947,727.00 76,551,628.00 70,477,391.00 48,065,758.00 108,028,112.12 26,994,694.03 122,310,510.97 15,086,001.79 10,287,629.67 26,498,431.14 699,026.59 46,287,060.93 3,211,402.49 2,226,312.35 7,778,318.00 R 8,039,233.50 $20,000,000.00 18,139,869.67 —————— 38,139,869.67 ToTtaL . . $674,492,525.31 AssETS United States Government Bonds Other Public Bonds . . . Railroad Bonds and Stocks . Public Utility Bonds. - Other Bonds and Stocks . . First Mortgage Loans . . . Cash on hand and in Banks Premiums in Course of Collec- tion . . . . . e e Interest accrued . . . . All Other Assets . . . FOTAT, & ) ke . T$20,120,434.94 THE TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY [ Twenty-seventh Annual Statement] REeservEs AND ALL OTHER LiasrLiTies Unearned Premium and Claim Reserves'i.. S-S50 % . Reserves for Taxes. . . . Other Reserves and Liabilities. Contingency Reserve . . . Special Reserve . . . . Capital . . . $3,000,000.00 Surplus . . . 4,289,107.90 $1,714,490.00 2,209,276.00 2,948,119.00 1,623,800.00 7,596,208.00 312,500.00 1,769,200.15 $8,166,961.76 353,189.10 541,808.19 1,627,399.00 2,141,968.99 1,851,561.33 95,193.46 87.00 7,289,107.90 ToraL - T T . . $20,120,434.94 AsseTs United States Government Bonds Other Public Bonds . . . Railroad Bonds and Stocks Public Utility Bonds and Stocks Other Bonds and Stocks . . First Mortgage Loans . . . Cash on hand and in Banks Premiums in Course of Collec- tion . . . . . . Interest accrued . . . . All Other Assets « o+ . ToraL THE TRAVELERS FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY . $16,054,586.48 [ Ninth Annual Statement] RESERVES AND ALL OTHER LiaBILiTIES Unearned Premium and Claim Reserves . . . . . . $10,266,136.84 Reserves for Taxes . . 254,309.98 Other Reserves and Liabilities. 33,724.36 Contingency Reserve. . . 893,292.00 Special Reserve 1,059,013.12 Capital . . - Surplus . . $3,024,544.00 1,228,174.00 2,469,173.00 4,170,681.00 1,647,414.00 250,000.00 1,907,045.29 1,229,437.36 111,071.53 17,046.30 . $2,000,000.00 1,548,110.18 3,548,110.18 . $16,054,586.48 ToTAL . ate exchequers was constant, meeting needs that were more urgent than in normal times. — O you want an assured income, starting now or at some future date, and continuing as long as you live? Dp you want a life income starting at age 55, 60, or 65 with life insur- ance protection for your family in the meantime? Do you want to assure your family one hundred or several ACCIDENT o * STEAM AUTOMOBILE & interrupted and surgical expenses in such an event? Few so;xght policy loans until all other avenues of relief had been exhausted, because men have come and restoring their insurance protection. Law of Averages Observed in Invest- ments as Well as in Underwriting The law of averages, which forms the basis of the insurance business, is observed in the investment of insurance funds as well as in the assumption of risks. In the case of The Travelers Companies, the percentages of as- sets held in various forms are as follows: U. S. Government Securities Other Public Securities. Railway Securities. oo, Public Utility Securities. First Mortgage Loan: Real Estate ... Loans on Company’s Policies. Cash on Hand and in Banks..... Interest Accrued._. Premiums Outstanding and Deferred All Other Assets. 20 The purpose of The Travelers Companies’ holdings of United States Government Bonds of 85 millions, cash of 18 millions, and other marketable securities is to meet its various obligations promptly as presented. Public Using Larger Proportion of Income for Insurance Than Ever While the income of the American people has been greatly reduced during the last three years, the amount paid for life insurance has been well maintained and today the public is putting a far larger proportion into life insurance than ever. People have found in insurance an economic device that has been of extraordinary service and one which they willuse toan even greater extent in the future. L. E. Zacher Prusidens by accidental injury and to-provide for hospital MORAL: Insure in THE TRAVELERS All forms of life, casualty and fire insurance and annuities are available in The Travelers, furnishing comprehensive insurance service to individuals, families anc_i business firms and corporations. BURGLARY BOILER WINDSTORM LIABILITY . GROUP . MACHINERY ® INLAND e FIRE s AIRCRAFT What kind of income do you need?——————2 hundred dollars a month,so that they may be protected against hardship and suffering in event of your death? 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