Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-08-03
Physical PhenomenOn.-A Rip Van
Wrinkle.

The following remarkable case Of cata.
lepsy is taken from late number ofth Ro-
chester IN. " Democrat. If there is no
design on the part of the man and his rela.
tives to deceive the public, (and there
seems TO be none, the circumstances well
merit investigation by the medical faculty
"Our attention was called yesterday to
a most extraordinary phenomenon. A full
grown man, six feet and two inches tall,
thrty-seven years Of age, has slept for near.
| ly five years, with only occasional and
brief intervals OF wakefulness. The name
of this man, subject to so remarkable sus.
pension of the ordinary faculties of the race,
is Cornelius Broomer. He is the son of =
farmer living in the towE Of Clarkson, in
this county, IN whose family only this sin
gle and singular instance of prolonged som.
neency has ever occurred The subject
of this notice first fell into this long sleep
on the 18th of June, 1848. and since that
time has been awake at different periods,
from few hours to four months at time.
1t is remarked that when he comes out of
this catalepsy he appears to have no knowl-
edge of the lapse OF time, or Of c..rcum>tan.
ces taking place while he sleeps. The fit
comes upon him instantly, without, so far
as is known, any warning. His eyes close,
his jaws are set, his muscles contract, and
his whole form is rigid, so that, if standing.
he continues in that attitude, partly bent
over, and it is not easy to pull HIM down.
He has continued in this condition for
months together, unable TO speak or move.
"Various experiments have been tried to
restore him to consciousness, without effect.
A seton has been inserted in the back Of
his neck without producing any apparent
effect, and on one occasion Cayenne pepper,
moistened with spirits of turpentine, was
put into his mouth and no visible emotion
was caused by the caustc dose. Physi-
clans have seen and wondered, theorized
and experimental in vain. The man sleeps
on, lives, eats. retains perfect health, with
pulse at so, and without variation. When
asleep, he may be placed upon his feet,
and he will still stand for days together,
as he has been known 10 do for three days
and nights in succession. In order to feed
him, it is necessary to pry open his firmly
set jaws, and in that manner but little food
is introduced into his stomach. He is not,
however, much emaciated, keeps bis natu-
raj color, and appears entirely without dis
ease, excepting that which produces his
strange sleep. When he awakes, he comes
out of his trance suddenly, his rigid mus
cles relax at once, he asks for meat or drink,
and falls to eating voraciously. If asked
why he sleeps so much, he appears to re-
gard it as an imposition, just as any active
man would receive an intimation that he
was considered sluggish.
"The last time he was awake was about
five or six weeks since. He was left neas.
ly alone at home; and on coming out Of
sleep he got up and went to the lake shore
where his brothers were. Going into Q
grocery he called for liquor, and asked the
company to drink with him. On such oc-
casions he is not violent or angry. appears
strong, and in the full possession of his men.
tai faculties. A slight indication that he
is not entirely unaware of what is transpi.
ring about him was given recently, by his
asking his father if he intended to allow
HIM to be taken to New York. Several
parties had been endeavorlng to get per-
mission to exhibit him, and he appears to
have become aware of it by some means,
perhaps by hearing conversation about him.
This was the only instance of the kind, we
believe. The fact that his eyelids are in
constant tremor fayors the idea of his
semi-consciousness.
"This man is now in charge of DR.. Gard
ner DAVIS, of Brockport, who intends 10 ex-
hibit him to the public, so that thing SO
wonderful may be seen by all the world
A brother of the remarkable somnambulist
accompanies him-a healthy, strong man,
SIX feet two inches in height. Many of our
physicians have visited the man at the place
where he is lodged, Mr.. Damarest's Conn
mercial Hotel, Front street. Efforts have
been made to waken him recently, so that
the faculty who are deeply interested in
the matter, may see him in his wakeful
mood. 1t is little singular that whiskey
will have the desired effect, if 1t is possible
to get enough down his throat. But he re-
ssts the introduction ofthe liquor, and it is
very difficult 10 get it down in any guam.
tity."