The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-07-03
A Rip Van Wrinkle Nap.

Perhaps any of us may soon be
able to take Rip Van Wrinkle nap
whenever we may choose. The
Brisbane New South Wales) Cou-
rier has long account of new
method of suspending animation,
discovered by one Signor Rotura,
"whose researches into the botany
and natural history OF South Amer
lea have made his name eminent"
Some five months ago Signor Ro-
tura called upon Mr.. James Grant,
pupil of the late Nicolles, "of pre-
eminence in his knowledge of the
science of generating cold" and the
owner of a freezing chamber at
Woothary. "Signor' Rotura aver
red" says the Courier's oorrespon-
dent, "that he discovered a South
American vegetable poison, allied
to the well-known 1Oooldrd, that had
the power Of perfectly suspending
animation, and that the trance thus
produced continued tall the apphca-
tion of another vegetable essence
caused the blood TO resume its cir.
culation and the heart its functions.
So perfect, moreover, was this sus-
pension of life that Signor Rotura
had found in a warm climate de-
composition set in at the extremi-
ties after week of this living
death, and he imagined If the body
in this inert state were reduced TO
temperature sufficiently low TO ar
rest decomposition, the frances
might be kept up for months, pos
sible for years. Rotura and Grant
have erected extensive works, in
which they are experimenting In
secret, with view soon 20 revolu-
tiOnize the meat trade OF Australia
by shipping sheep to England while
in this trance and reviying them for
| slaughter when landed. The cor
respondent visited this establish
ment and was shown the freezing
chamber, "small dark room, about
eight feet by ten feet. Here we're
fourteen sheep, four lambs and
three pigs, stacked on their sides in
heap, alive which Mr.. Grant
told me had been in their present
position for nineteen days, and were
To remain there for another three
months. Selecting one of the lambs,
SigHor Rotura put IL on his shout
der ana carried il outside into the
other building. wJ,o-s. s'...--i.-- -
shallow cemented tanks were IN the
floor, having hot and cold water
tSya 60 each tank. with a thermom-
eter hanging alongside. One OF
these tanks was quickly filed, and
its temperature tested by the Sig
nor, / meantime examining with the
greatest curiosity and wonder the
nineteen days dead lamb. IL was
gently dropped into the warm bath,
and was allowed TO remain In IL
about twenty-three minutes, its
head being raised above the water
twice for the Introduction OF the
into its mouth, and
then it was taken ont and placed
on it's side on the floor, Signor Ro-
tura quickly dividing the wool on
it's neck and inserting a sharp point
Of a small silver syringe under the
skin and injecting the antidote.
ms was pale green ilquid, anu
as believe, decoction from the
root Of the asfracharlin, found in
South America. The lamb was
then turned on its back, SignOr lio-
tura standing across IL, gently com
pressing the ribs with his knees
and his hands, in such "A manner as
to initiate their natural depression
and expansion during breathing.
In ten minutes the animal was
struggling TO free itself, and, when
released, skipped out through the
door, and went gamboling aud went
bleating over the little garden in
'front.'" The Signor's experiments
lead him TO believe that IL Is imma-
terial whether the suspension lasts
week9 or years. He is negotiating
for a felon under capital sentence,
upon whom he wishes 70 operate.