The New York herald., 1870-10-14

Woman sleeps Twenty Ycars-Physicians
Puxxied-Medical Art Notwithstanding
~rtfculu r~

Particulars.
From the 81. Louis Democrat, oct. I0l
The regular weekly meeting OF the St. Louis Medt-
cal society was held in hall No. Poytechnic Build.
ing, Saturday night. DIR. John T. Hodgen occupied
the chair and DR.. IL. u. Gl acted ~ secretary.
The regular business transacted was unlmportant
and consisted only OF the election OF new MEM
Der. and consultation regardingahe propriety or
having some pamphlets published.
Dr. :. I. EDWARDS OF Union CITY, Tenn, was then
introduced and BY the permission OF the Presidens
proceeded to narrate some OF the facts connected
Win The life OF the wonderful woman known az
THE sLEEPING BEAUTY,
VINO = now IN this CITY, For the benefit OF those OF
our reauers VINO nave never heard OF this extraor-
dinary case, which has for more than twenty years
puZzed tfe most eminent physicians OF this country
Co., I'm Europe we describe the woman and her cOnd
Her name Il Susan 9. Godsey, and she is twenty
Tennessee, just across the State line, and about six
miles from Hickman, Kentucky.
Her parents were extremely poor, and lived I'm
small log house containing only one room.
Until eight years OF age tho girl was strong and
healthy. and seemed in nowisc remarkable. AZ that
age, however she was
STRICKEN WITH PEvER.
put was attended by an experienced physician who
soon checked the disease. The girl sunk into .
sumber which lasted an unusually long time, and
bnally awoke weak, but well. To the surprise OF ths
family and physicians, she remained awake but
Few minutes. when she again went to sleep. From
Then until the present time, twcnty-one years and
three months, she has never been awake moro than
The ethsrgic state invariably lasts q certain mum.
Der Of hours She awakens at six O'Clock In the
morning and At three aud nine O'Clock each night
never varying one half minute from the regular
ume She takes but very little nonrlshment, and
that only twice In twenty-four hours. During the
snE DOES NOT AprEaR TO BREATHE,
and mirror heId against her nostri!s remains un-
at a is not sufficient 10 STIR the lightest down sus
pended against her nostrils by a siIken thread.
whe bern remarkable condition became known
PHYSICIANS locked from al parts Of the country to
see her. None were able 70 satisfactorily account
Tor the phenomenon, although many theories were
been deterInined, although the woman continues
aternatelyte sleep and wake with the regularity
c,ockworx. @ Two opnJscians--prs. Rnea and Glover
former mas visited her continually for sixteen
years, he can still form no opinion regarding the
cause.
She ID rather under medium size, and with the
exception that she Is sometimes troubled when
awake with neuralgia pains In her head and neck
aud that one Is slightly paralyzed, enjoys, AZ
Tar as she can enjoy ANYTHING, good health.
Her hands are extremely small and delicate, being
scarcely larger than those OF child six years OF
age Another remarkable feature In the case Is that
while her hair has grown 70 great length, her nm
stricken. eAf
tss - HER APPEARANCE.
a. before stated, she is slightly under medium
height, aud n OF slender but graceful figure. Her
face 10 oval and the head well formed. She has
mass Of dark auburn hair, well formed forehead
shaped nose ana small mouth. Although ner COM
pexion IL ceas aud 1ne yet owing to constant con-
hnement 10 her bed her lace Is SO white as to be al
most ghastly. Par from anything repugnanI In her
appearance, even while sleeping, would doubtless
be considered very pretty girl by thoee unac-
qusintea with her condition. Sne retains what
knowledge she possessed ~ eight years OF age but
has not been awake enough since then to learn any
thing more. She knows her relatives and friends
and converses with them in her conscious mo-
menn. Before falling asleep = slight hicc0ugh
or choking sound proceeds apparently from her
throat. She then 40 quickly becomes ineensib0
that shs is sometimes unable 70 finish sentence
or even word while talking. When about to
awake the same choking sound Ia repeated rom
her throat number OF times nj regular intervals
When THIS Is heard eleven times without intermlsson
her body shakes IN spasm0dio manner and she
instantly awakens. Whether aseep OF awake her
hands trcmbe continually
She Is attended by her mother, now an aged and
feeble woman, her brother, her niece and two
0f Mrs. Davis, on Walnut street. between f1ftn aud
Sixth.
Dr. Edwords stated Saturday night before the
Medical society that he had known the family for
number OF years ana knew tnat there was no decep-
tIon or humbng. He asked that
A COMMtTTrE or FIVE
might he appointed rom the physictans present to
watch the subject and see that the case Just ~
he represented II.
1 On motion OF Or. n. z. Gill the President an
pointed the following gentlemen "a tue commit.
tee:--Drs. Rumboid, Gil, Johnson, Edgar and
AcPheeters.
They visited the giri at ten O'Clock Yesterday
morning, and will remain with ner ~ long ns they
may deem II necessary, be II one or more days
Their report. which Will be handed In at the ncxi
meeflng of the society. Saturday plght, viii ~
d"nnt pc al Interesting QUO