The participants in this epidemic were girls ranging in age from sixteen to eighteen who were considered intelligent members of their school. Their symptoms consisted in involuntary contractions of their diaphragms, of their head and neck muscles, and in crying spells. The symptoms first appeared in a girl who was outstanding both as a social and academic leader and as an athlete, but who had an aversion to dancing. Her attack was precipitated by a series of disappointments: failure to be elected to a position of honor in connection with a school carnival and the loss of the attentions of a prominent senior boy, a good dancer, to an attractive newcomer who was also a skilful tap dancer. The hysterical attack became known throughout the school without immediate consequences.