This remarkable result of musical sounds recalled to many the recorded effects of the Italian tarantellas in counteracting the effect of poisonous spider-bites. Not only so, but it was whispered by the more credulous that spider-bites actually were the cause of the mania in its modern form, and that in this connection, the spider symbol of the Leaguers possessed a special and malignant meaning. That there were numerous instances of self-deception and of fraud was beyond all question. That, indeed, is a common experience among hysterical persons, and in this instance, as already intimated, the Dancers were largely recruited from classes predisposed to excitement and delusion--factory girls from the East End, workers in close, unhealthy surroundings, and great numbers who belonged to the painted sisterhood of the streets. Practically it was a form of insanity, and now for the first time the curative effect of music in the treatment of mental disease received something like systematic application. Music, of certain kinds, it was certain, excited to exhibition of the mania; music at the same time provided for many the virtue of an antidote. Unfortunately, though these combined influences of religion and melody were so well employed for the benefit of large numbers, there were still greater numbers untouched by any sort of remedy, whose wild paroxysms were constantly drawing new adherents into the ranks of the Dancers. Any attempt at forcible suppression only resulted in displays of increased violence. Practically the evil had grown in a few weeks to such a head that the authorities had to stand by in the hope that it would wear itself away. Already the police were vastly overweighted by the task of maintaining any semblance of public order. There were hosts of designing men and women who aided and abetted the grotesque excesses of the Dancers for no other purpose than to take advantage of opportunities for conduct violating every principle of public decorum. Thus the fateful summer wore away. The railway termini presented conditions more chaotic than ever. All outgoing trains were densely packed by Londoners fleeing with their families from the multiplying terrors of the capital. But though scores of thousands escaped, millions necessarily remained--the helpless puppets of time and circumstance.