Highlands
p. 125 · Read in the full issue
Suspect Fungi
Why Do NG Highlands Natives go Berserk?
EVER since Europeans entered the great Wahgi Valley, in the Highlands of New Guinea, they have reported that small numbers of natives in certain areas appear
to go berserk at times. They become hysterical, and sometimes attack their fellows furiously.
Mr. D. N. Ashton, ADO at Minj, has been observing these phenomena, and he recently re ported that they occur about July or August; that some of the native gentlemen affected attack other natives with spears and arrows, and appeared quite mad; and that there seemed some connection between their behaviour and their apparent practice of eating certain fungi which grow at the base of some Wahgi Valley trees at this time of year.
Mr. Ashton sent some samples of the fungi to Port Moresby; and the experts there—especially Mr. T. G.
Aitchison, of the Department of Native Affairs and Dr. Dorothy Saw, a plant expert in Agriculture —were deeply interested. Dr. Saw said that fungi could cause temporary insanity, but were ex tremely rare. Samples have been sent to England, for examination.