Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-06-30
Misfellang.
Remarkable Physical Phenomenon.


Our attention was called yesterday to most
extraordinary phenomenon. A full grown
man, six feet and two inches tall, 81 years of
age, has slept for nearly five years, with only
occasional and brief intervals of wakefulness.
The name of this man, subject to SO remarka-
BILE suspension of the ordinary faculties of the
race is Cornelius Broomer. He is the son of
Farmer living in the town of Clarkson, In
this county, in whose family only this singu-
lar circumstance of prolonged somnolency has
ever occurred. The subject of notice first fell
into this long sleep on the 10th of January,
Is46, and since that time has been awake at
different periods, from few hours to four
months at a time. 1t is remarked that when
he comes out Of this catalepsy, he appears to
have no knowledge of the lapse of time, or of
circumstances taking place while he sleeps.
The fit comes upon him instantly, without, so
far as is known, any warning. His eyes are
closed, his Jaws are set, his muscles contract,
and his whole form is rigid, SO that if stand
ing, 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 oc-
casion cayenne pepper moistened with spirits
of turpentine, was put into his mouth, and no
visible emotion was caused by the caustic
dose. Physicians have seen and wondered,
theorized and experimental in vain. The
man sleeps on, lives, eats, retains perfect
health, with pulse at 80, and without varia-
tion. When asleep, he may be placed upon
his feet, and he will stand for days together,
as he has been known to 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 in
troduced into his stomach. He is not, howev-
er, much emaciated, keeps his natural color,
and appears entirely without disease, except
that which produces his strange sleep
When he wakes, he comes out of his trance
suddenly, his rigid muscles relax at once, he
asks for meat or drink, and falls to voracious-
ly. If asked why he sleeps so much, he ap-
pears to regard it as an imposition, just as an
active man would receive an intimation that
he was considered sluggish. The last time
he was awake, was about four or five weeks
since He was left nearly alone at home; and
coming out of sleep, he got up, went to the
Lake Shore, where his brothers were going
into grocery, he ca He'd for liquor, andasked
the company to drink with him. On such
occasions he is not violent or angry; appears
strong and in the full possession of his mental
faculties A slight indication that he is not
entirely unconscious of what is transpiring
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 endeavoring to get permission to exhibit
him, and he appears to have become aware of
it by some means; perhaps by hearing con-
versation about him. This was the only in
stance of the kind, we believe. The fact that
his eye-lids are in constant tremor, fayOrs the
idea of semi-consciousness. Many of our
physicians have visited the man. Efforts have
been made to waken him, recently, SO that the
faculty who are deeply interested in the mat
ter, may see him in his wakeful mood. 1t is
a little singular that whiskey will have the
desired effect, if it is possible to get enough
down his throat But he resists the intro
duction Of the liquor, and it is very difficult
to get it down in any quantity ty.-ROchester
American