Definition for Tarantism
From Biology Forums Dictionary
1. Tarantism is an alleged, possibly deadly envenomation, popularly believed to result from the bite of a kind of wolf spider called a "tarantula" (Lycosa tarantula). (These spiders are different from the broad class of spiders called "Tarantulas".)
2. Tarantism is a form of "mass madness" characterized by wild dancing. The behaviour seen was similar to early orgiastic rites, but came to be viewed as a consequence of having been bitten by a tarantula.