Hylas and Hydrophobia

They call me, Hylas.

I happily boarded the finely crafted vessel Argo at Iolcus to follow our leader Jason on his voyage to Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece. It was an epic adventure for a noble cause. We had many brave Greeks join as crew members. A couple of notable figures included Orpheus, famed for his music, and Heracles. I was the latter's arms-bearer. An honor, to be sure. For the legendary might of Heracles was known well beyond the mountainous and coastal boundaries of Greece. Truth be known, my youthful masculinity had coyly captured the affections of Heracles. I was bound by his side as a seafaring companion throughout most of our voyage.

Sailing on the Aegean heading toward the Black Sea, the Argo landed ashore on one of the tiny islands and we had a brief respite. We used this time to restock our supplies of food and water. I took with me a large terracotta pitcher—a hydra monster depicted in black on its side—and ventured alone into the nearby woods, looking for a natural spring or stream or any source of fresh drinking water. I discovered a clear pond dotted with lily pads and knelt to fill my pitcher. As I did so, the water quickly became murky and the tranquil surface started to violently ripple. Then I saw her, the first of several women—a naiad, or water nymph, who approached me with a cautious curiosity. I was enthralled. Though she did not speak, her gaze held me immobilized. Without asking her name, it suddenly entered my mind—she was called "Dryope." I was beguiled by her natural, wild beauty. Surrounded by the other alluring nymphs, who Dryope silently commanded, I was not allowed to rejoin my fellow Argonauts. Poor Heracles! He refused to leave the island until he found me. Jason and the crew, bound by divine duty, sailed on to Colchis without Heracles. Never would he discover that I met my doomed destiny with Dryope in this watery grave.

SOURCE: The World Book Medical Encyclopedia

It should come as no surprise that my surviving spirit has developed hydrophobia. If you are confused by this term, it is understandable. Hydrophobia is not only an irrational fear of water, but it is also the name attributed to the rabies disease. Does a person afflicted with rabies fear water? It would seem that way, but it is not true. Rabies causes painful spasms in the throat of humans and animals. The disease renders them unable to eat or drink. The excruciating pain causes one to refuse a drink of water even when that person is desperately thirsty. From this, the term "hydrophobia" came to be. The medical and psychiatric communities have adopted the use of a new expression: "aquaphobia." Aqua means "water" in Latin, which fits this unusual fear; however, linguistically, whenever the Latin "aqua" is used as a prefix, it should always begin as "aqui-." But I digress.

Aquaphobia is a near paralyzing fear of water well beyond the control of the afflicted person. What makes this phobia so unusual is that it can be brought on by a mere splash of water or being harmlessly exposed to water, such as through a faucet. The crippling fear arises out of an irrational belief that the person may drown—even from a glass of water. This is no laughing matter. I caution you, dear reader, that aquaphobia is a real, debilitating fear.

Take heed lest you come across deadly Dryope or one of her sinister sister-naiads! Even then, like being lured by the seductive Sirens' call, it may be too late to save yourself from an aquatic entombment.