Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-01-21
Altogether Remarkable somnambullsm,

ity. The event narrated occurred while
he WAS employed in the University. and
furnishes one of the most remarkable
cases on record
n was my fortune, during series Of
years, to have under direct observation a
case Of somnambulism, in some respects
more remarkable than any upon record
The subject was family relative and pri.
Vate medical student of my own.
The first time he was ever known ia
walk in his sleep was in the spring of 1S47,
and the first attempt was an unfortunate
one, as he fell from stairway unprotected
by balusters, lnjuring himself considera.
Oily, although fracturing no bones. lie
had risen and dressed himself, but when
awakened by his fall was utterly ignorant
OF his ThRreabouts. saw hima few mo,
ments af ward and found nothing un.
usual abs him, but he remarked that he
had not felt quite we'll when he went TO
bed. For some months subsequently he
wculd now and then get up, dress himself
and go about the house without any ap-
parent object, and, usually, after awhile
return to his bed voluntarily, awakening
in the morning with not the slightest rec.
objection even of dream.
My young friend was an enthusiast in
music, and very respectable amateur.
About the summer of 1S47, q somewhat
dllapidated lbass-viol, which was a kind
OF heirloom in the family, was brought
into the house, and he devoted spare mo-
ments to learning how to play upon It.
Unfortunately, the antiquity of the in-
strument had told upon its keys, and un-
less they were wctted at each time of use
IL would not remain in tune. He was de-
in nflh hon -. "A
and succeeded. His somnambulio walks,
thereafter, led him from his chamber to
the parlor, and to the bass -yiol, and the
family would be awakened in the small
hours by the inevitable tuningup pre-
iiude, mingled with slipping, of the old
Keys, and quiet obiurgations on his part
SOmetimes'the bridge would fall down
when the Keys slipped, and sometimes
a string would snap or escape
from the keys; nevertheless he would
persevere, repair damages, tune ND, and
then execute all varieties of music of
which the machine was capable, not un.
frequently accompanying IL with his voice.
All this would be done in total darkness.
When any one entered the room with
light, he took not the least notice, although
when spoken TO he would reply in mono
syllables or with considerable asperity.
His face was unusually flushed, although
sometimes pale-the features immobile
and passive, the eye open, pupil dilated !;
the surface glazed, and the lids apparently
motionless; the extremities warm and
The pulse full, frequent and soft. Very
often the skin would be bathed with free
perspiration. Remarkably sensitive to
when awake, there seemed a
total absence of reflex movements from
This cause, while in the somnambulistic
state.
AS he exteneed his acquaintance with
music and musical instruments, his feats
became wonderful. While in attendance
upon the Medical College at Laportc, the
household looked forward with high an
ticipations to the hours when his skillful
touch Of the melodeon would wake them.
tie had voice of the purest tone and very
considerable compass, in fact, of rare
sweetness. am enabled to say from
multitude of observations that he PLAYED
With a precision and skill while asleep
nat he could not approximate while
awake. Besides this, he would execute
music which he had heard, perhaps but
'nce, the evening previous or after q long
nterval--no note of which he could recall
n his waking moments. His memory
lere seemed wonderfully exalted. If in
errupted, he was irritable in the extreme,
out would go on with his music exactly
rom the point of interruption.
Whilst attending lectures at Ann Arbor.
where was then lccturing on physiology,
requested his assistance in enlarging
ome OF the drawings illustrative of mi
lutc anatomy and histology, for use in class
demonstrations. lie entered into the
work with great zeal, and proved very ex-
'crt and rapid of execution. One evening,
previous to the day on which was about
o lecture on the kidney, wished the cuts
n Carpenters Physiology" illustrating
nc tubular arrangement, ETC., made ready.
lie had an engagement for the evening,
,ut said he would try and prepare them in
ne morning. During the night he rose,
Iressed himself, played a few tunes on the
,ultar, part of the time singing (and, by
he way, the guitar was about as dilapf.
lated as the bass-Viol before noticed, and
le had to knot one or two of the strings
lrst) and then arranged the drawing pa-
'er, prepared his India ink and brushes,
ook the parallels and pencils and laid of
he spaces, and worked for half an hour
II more, rapidly and perfectly, nearly
the figures on PIP. 596 and 597
4 Carpenters Principles, in the edition
4 1903. His were taken from previous
dition not now In my possession. These
rawlings are now in the series used for
Illustration in Rush Medical College. AL
hough we had light in the room while
Vatching him, he went on with his work
nlirely regardless of 1t. Before com
letting the work, he went to bed and slept
ntil the usual hour in the morning.
hen at the breakfast he asked If he
ad been up in the night, as he had
reamed that he had. This was the only
me he ever remembered even dreaming |
bout being up or occupied in anything,
le had by this time become SO fully aware |
| his habits, that nothing Of the sort as
'nlshed him. Shortly after this he went |
spend the night with fellow student, |
ut little after midnight he rose, dressed |
lmselt and went out, followed by the |
sher gentleman, walked down to the Ex- |
lange Hotel, where there were a number |
ms acqualntances and others waiting /
" Train OF cars due at that time. Some \
ne rallied him on his being cut 80 late,
Ut, being cautioned by his companion. |
ley did not attempt 10 awake him, but |
,atched his movements On being in |
ited, ne took a glass Of ale, and then said |
G would only have time to 90 home and !
ct his dinner before the afternoon lecture
our, He walked with his friend TO our |
oor, and was indignant TO find 1t locked. |
lis roommate "a Cousin) admitted him,
nd awakened myself and wife. He asked |
dinner was ready, and seemed aston
he'd that 1t was not; then said he would |
ct drink Of water and be of, "for old |
}. Zone or the faculty. would te mad if |
e was late.YI ItOld him be had plenty of |
me, and he need not be in hurry. He |
len walked into the Kitchen, drank a |
imblerful OF water, and, looking up to |
le clock, although il was totally dark, re- |
larked the time and started for the front |
Dor. then told him that | was not feel |
lg well, was pretty blue, and wished he |
.ogld sit down and play eucbre with us.
his seemed 10 please him, and be took of |
is oyereoat and said he would as lief play |
ntil "old ID" was through leeturing, as
His cousin SGT down at the table with
3, and Wek played 8 . three! handed (cut-
lroat ueuchre." He dealt the cards in I
Ia turn correctlg, and aplayed according |
} Hoyle." In one hand, spades were
jumps, he held the lack Of clubs. Clubs