Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-06-12
SINGULAR DISEASE.

The following, dated April 7th, is address
sed from La Ferte Mace to the Liberte of
Caen:
SIN small village, near La Fertc Mace,
there lives young girl of the age of TWEEN
ty-two, who has been for FIVE years afflicted
with disease equally singular and cruel, and
which may excite much disbelief, although
not without precedent in the annals of medi,
cine.
"This young girl is continually in a kind
of lethargic state, and aWakes from this deep
slumber but once day, for few moments,
towards three o'clock in the afternoon.
"Sometimes, though at rare intervals, this
condition lasts two, three, and even eight
days, during which she shows no other sign
of life than a slight degree of breathing al
most imperceptible.
"But what will appear most extraordinary,
(and this fact will meet with many disbeliev-
ers, is, that for the past year she has not
taken particle of food, nor even a drop OF
water.
"still her embonpoint is remarkable; her
face is full, fresh, and rosy she appears to
enjoy excellent health, and feels no pain, no
want, but the desire to sleep.
"Nevertheless, she experiences, at the mo-
ment of waking, nervous contractions of 50
violent a character, that oftentimes several
persons cannot keep her in her bed, from
which she escapes to roll on the floor. AT
this critical moment she tears to pieces all
that falls under her hand bedding and
clothes are not spared she bites convulsive'
ly everything within her reach, and would
devour her hands, were the precaution not
taken 70 envelope them suitably.
"This frightful crisis continues from two
to five minutes the patient then becomes
gradually calm, rubs her heavy eyelids, looks
toward the clock for the time, examines with
smile her astounded visitors, and begins tt
speak in distinct manner.
"But every minute water must be given
with this she vets her lips and throat, but
Immediately expels it.
uIn the meanwhile she answers all ques
tions, enters into the details of her disease
and appears pleased with the interest mani
tested
"During this time, she has all her pre-
sence of mind; all her memory, and he
natural liveliness betrays itself by numbe
of bon anots, and by an open and joyous
laugh, which is in striking contrast with he
unfortunate situation.
"These moments of lucidity are, however
of short duration, and never extend beyonc
fifteen minutes; a sort of hiccup is heard
her chest heavcs, her limbs become agitatec
and her eyebrows contracted ; the eyes close
and her teeth press against each other a
though they would crush; all is then over
she relapses into a profound insensibility
which will last at least until the next day a
the same hour.
During her sleep, which perfectly calm
her color is less vivid, and her pulse more
feeble. In this state she has the appearance
of dead person, and she can be placed il
any position without betraying the slightes
motion. Speak in loud voice, exclaim ever
at her ears, she hears nothing. Prickin@
has been tried, which she has not felt, ant
she is firmly convinced, conviction shared
by many, that she is literally dead for TWEEN
ty-four hours at the end of which she resus
citates, to die anew.
"Real death is, therefore, to her but al
empty name, for she often desires it both ar
IDENTIFY and sincerely, saying: "When shal
I sleep no more to awake?" Still she pre-
serves sentiments of the most religious char
acter, she often manifests the desire of con
Tossing herself, and, knowing that it is i'm
possible for her to receive the Communion
she often repeats with an air of visible dis
appointment ~ shall be this year as tn
impious, I shall not receive my Easter Com
munion."
"Such are the effects Of this incredibl
disease, which it is the province of scienc