The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-01-16
a LONG ZAP.

For more than twenty years the eX-
tra0rdinary case OF Susan ). GodSey,
bel ter known as the Sleeping Beauty, y
has puzzled the most eminent physicians
Of this country and Europe. She was
born in ObiOn county, Tenn. just across
the state line, and abopt SIX miles from
Hickman, Kentucky. Her parents were
extremely poor and lived in a small log
house containing only one room. Until
eight years of age the girl was strong
enough and healthy, and seemed in no.
wise remarkable At that age, howey-
er. she was stricken with fever, but was
attended by an experienced physician,
who soon checked the disease. The girl
sunk into Il slumber which lasted an un-
usually long time, and finally awoke
weak, but well. TO the surprise of the
family and physician, she remained
awake but a few minutes, when she again
went to sleep. From that time forward,
a period OF more than twenty-one years,
she has never been awake more than
three minutes at time.
The Iethargic state invariably lasts q
certain number of hours. She awakes
at six O'Clock in the morning and at
three O'Clock and ut eight O'Clock each
night. never varying half minute from
the regular time. She takes but very
little nouriShment. and that only twice
in twenty-foUT hours. During the time
i'm which she sleeps she does not appear
TO breathe. and mirror held against
her nostrils remains untarniShed. Her
breathing. if indeed she breatheS at all,
is not sufficient to stir the slightest
down suspended against her nOstrilS by
a silken thread. When her remarkable
condition became known, physicians
focked from all parts Of the country TO
see her. None were able satisfactorily
to account for the phenomenon, althO'
many theories were advanced. The
true cause has never to this day been
determined, although the woman may
still be alternately sleeping and waking
with the regularity Of clock work. One
physician who visited her continually
for sixteen years. frankly confessed that
he could form no opinion regarding the
cause.
She is de5cribedas rather under me-
dunn size. and with the exception that
she is sometimes troubled when awake
with neuralgia pains in her head and
neck, and that one arm is slightly par
aIvZed. enjoys. rs far as she can enjoy
anything, good health. One remark
able feature Of the case is. that while
her hair has grown to great length he's
finger nails have not grown any since
she was first stricken. Far from any
thing repugnant in her appearance.
even while animation is suspended, she
would be considered a pretty lady by
those unacquainted with her condition.
She retains what knowledge she possess
ed at eight years Of age, but has not
been awake enough since then 10 learn
anything more. heknOws her relatives
ana friends. and converse5 with them
i'm he conscious moments. Before fall
ing asleep, slight hiccough or choking
sound proceeds apparently from Ter
throat She then so quickly becomes
IuseusibIe that she is sometimes Uua-
able TO finish a sentence or even a word
while talking y short time since a
committee of five physicians were ap-
pointed 10 watch the subject, and touud
the case was just as it had been repre-
seuted to be-