A Word to Ticklish People

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 280, 11 July 1888, Page 6

A Word to Ticklish People

A discussion has been going on n the pages of ' Science ' for some time over the asseition that one may handle a wasp with impunity provided he holds his breath duriner the operation. An English correspondent is thereby reminded of a ciuious discovery of his boyhood. ' I was a very ticklish youngster, and my comrades sometimes usod that weakness for their own amusement. One boy u«ed to show me how little effect tickling had upon him ; but one hot summer day as lie was lying reading, ] tickled .him on the ribs, and he almost went into convulsions, [ found that lie vru* far more sensitive than any boy in the company, and he revealed his secret to me under condition of my never telling 1 anyone else. By holding his breath he became pachydermatous and would let anyone tickle him as much as they pleased"; but, of course, they alwayo gave it up at once when they saw his stolid look. ] tried the plan and it worked admirably ; and it is my only protection, even unto this day, for my cuticle is as sensitive as ever. The deduction is simple : A man holds hi* breath find a wasp — and the stinger is ' bluffed.' ' Verb, sap.' Mr iVicMillan's scientific logic halts .somewhat, but the fact which lie cites is ot interebt. The writer is cognisant of similar cases, and it may be worth further investigation to determine to what extent anii'cthesis of the skin may be produced by suspending respiration temporarily. — ' Chicago News. '