LONG NAPS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 March 1918, Page 2

LONG NAPS.

—— WOMAN SLEEPS FOR THIRTY YEARS.

Recently a young French soldier who was wounded at the beginning of the war woke up after a nap of over two years. During the whole of that period food was artificially administered, and to-day he is just as strong in body and mind as he was before his unique experience.

This calls to mind a number of similar instances, Some time ago a woman in Brussels was aroused by church bells ringing in consequence of a fire. She had been asleep for nearly seventeen years. When she awoke she was in perfect health, and remembered in detail events that had taken place seventeen years ago, before she fell off into her long nap.

There have been several instances of sleeps lasting twenty years. Here is the remarkable case of the "Dormouse of Menelles.”

In 1883 Margaret Bangerel,-a pretty girl of twenty-one years of age, became unconscious as the result of a practical joke played upon her. The trance lasted for twenty years, and she became the most-talked-of woman in Europe. Medical celebrities from all parts of the world flocked to see her, but failed to diagnose the case or bring about any successful remedy. She was never aroused from her comatose state, for she died in 1903.

A case in which the sleeper regained normal health is that reported from Minnesota, where ci German some time ago completed a sleep which, with the exception of one solitary week, continued for twenty-three years. He went to sleep quite naturally one night, but the following morning remained in bed,, and from that time for over a score of years ha scarcely ever awoke of his own accord. He used to be roused once a day in order to take a little milk, which was poured down his throat. This was his sole food. Immediately this was done he fell fast asleep again.

Doctors utterly failed to arouse him, and not even electric shocks would awaken him. Ultimately he awoke of his own accord, and soon regained his lost strength. One of the most remarkable naps on record is that of Caroline Oilson, a native of the little island of Okuo, off the coast of Sweden, who fell asleep in 1875 and did not wake until 1907.

For the first fourteen years of her life Caroline Oilson was in perfect health. Then she fell ill and ultimately sank into a trance from which no one could awaken her. Food was artificially administered, and for years she exhibited no interest in anyone or anything. Then suddenly she awoke, and the most careful examination failed to reveal the slightest weakness or mentail defect. Since then she has enjoyed exceptionally good health. For five months a girl, aged eighteen, whose home is at Milkwood road, Herne Hill, London, has lain asleep at King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, to the bewilderment of the doctors. She was admitted after a severe attacki of mumps being then in a comatose condition, and all attempts to rouse her proved unavailing. The doctors are not without hope of her ultimate recovery, for she is of strong physique and has not lost'weight during her long sleep.