ANTIPATHY

ANTIPATHY, Antipathia, a natural Enmity, or Aversion of one Body to another.
In this Sense, the Word stands opposed to Sympathy. See SYMPATHY.
Such is commonly said to be between the Salamander and the Tortoise, the Vine and the Elm, the Toad and the Weasel, the Sheep and the Wolf, the Olive and the Oak, etc.
Mersenne, in his Quest. Comment. in Genesis, gives other more extraordinary Instances; as, that a Drum made of a Wolf-Skin, will break another made of a Sheep-Skin: That Hens will fly at the Sound of a Harp strung with Fox-Gut Strings, etc.
See other matters relating to this head, under the Articles SOUND, MUSIC, TUNE, HARMONY, etc.
Mr. Boyle mentions "a Lady, who having a strange Antipathy to Honey; and her Physician conceiving it in great measure imaginary, mixed a little Honey in a Medicine applied to her Foot: But he soon repented his Curiosity; for it caused a strange Disorder in her, which ceased upon removing of the Medicine. Useful in Philosophy.



--Dr. Mather relates that a Gentlewoman in New-England swoons upon seeing anyone cut their Nails with a Knife; but is not the least affected if the same is done with a Pair of Scissors.

Philosophical Transactions No. 339.

The Peripatetics account for Antipathies from certain occult Qualities inherent in the Bodies. See OCCULT, PERIPATETIC, etc.

See also WITCHCRAFT, CONSENT OF PARTS, etc.

Some think that the Term Antipathy can only be applied to any certain purpose when used with the Restriction of modern Philosophers; among whom it signifies no more than a Vis Centrifuga, or repelling Power. See REPELLING and CENTRIFUGAL.

The Word is compounded of the Greek ἀντί, contra, against, and πάθος, Passion.

ANTIPATHY