Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-01-30
4 LONG NAP.
Susie Godscy's Sleep OF More than Tween.
~ Years.

ty Years.
For more than twenty years the ex-
traordinary case of Susan s. Godsey,
better known as the Sleeping Beauty
has puzzled the most eminent nhysi-
clans of this country and Europe. She
was born III 0hion county, Tenn, just
across the state line, about six miles
from Hickman, Ky. Her parents we're
extremely poor and lived III small log
house containing only one room. Tn
I'll eight years OF age the girl was strong
and healthy, and seemed in nowise re-
markshle. At that age, however, she
was stricken with fever, bat was attend
ed by an experienced physician, who
soon checked the disease. The girl sank
into slumber which lasted All unusual.
ly long time, and finally awoke weak,
but well. To the surprise of the family
and physicians she remained awake but
few minutes, when she again went to
sleep, From that time forward, Il period
OF moro than twenty-one years, she has
never been awake moro than three
minutes ut time, The lcthargic state
invariably lasts 4 certain number OF
hours. She awakes al & o'clock III the
morning and ut 3 o'clock and S O'Clock
each night, never varying one.halE min.
ute from the regular time. She takes
but very little nourishment, and that
only twice in twenty-four hours, Dar-
ing the time in which she sleeps she
does not appear to breathe, and mir.
ror held against her nostrils remains I'M
furnished. Her breathing, If, indeed,
she breathes IL all, il not sufficient to
stir the slightest down suspended against
her nostrils by silken thread. Wher
her remarkable condition became
known, physicians Hooked from nj
parts Of the country 10 see her. None
were able satisfactorily to account foi
the phenomenon, although MANY theor
les were advanced. The true cause has
never TO this day been determined, nj
though the woman may still be alter.
nately sleeping and waking with The
regularity Of clock-work. One physi
clan who visited her continually loi
sixteen years, frankly confessed thu,
he could form no opinion regarding the
case.
She is described rs rather under me.
dunn size, and with the exception that
she is sometimes troubled while awake
with neuralgia pains in the head and
neck, and that one arm is slightly par.
alyzed, enjoys, rs far as she can enjoy
anything, good health. One remarkable
feature of the case is, that while hci
hair has grown to great length, hei
finger.nails have not grown any since
she was first stricken. Far from any.
thing repugnant in her appearance
even while animation il suspended she
would be considered very pretty lady
by those unacquainted with her condi
ton. She retains what knowledge she
possessed nj years Of age, buts has MOI
been awake enough since then to learr
anything more. She knows her rela
tiyes and friends, and conyerses will
them in her conscious moments. Be
fore falling asleep slight hiccough Of
choking sound proceeds apparently
from her throat. She then 80 quickly
becomes insensible that she il some.
times unable 10 finish sentence OF
even word while talking. A short
time since committee Of Ave physi.
clans were appointed to watch the sub,
ject, and found the case just as IL bad
been represented 10 be.