The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-01-17
A LONG NAP.
Susie Godsey's Sleep OF More Than
Twenty Years.

For more than twenty years the cx-
traordinary case Of Susan::S. Godsey,
better known as the "Sleeping Beauty"
has puzzled the most eminent physicians
Of this country and Europe. She was
born in Obion county, Tenn, just across
the State line, and about six miles from
Hickman, Kentucky. Her parents were
extremely poor and living in 4 small
log-house containing only one room.-
Until eight years of age the girl was
strong enough and healthy, and seemed
in nowise remarkable. At that age,
however, she was stricken with fever,
but was attended by an experienced
physician, who soon checked the disease.
The girl sunk into a slumber which last
cd an unusually long time, and finally
awokc weak, but well. To the surprise
Of the family and physician she remain
cd awake but few minutes, when she
again went TO sleep. From that time
forward, 4 period of more than twenty
one years, she has never been awake
more than three minutes NJ time. The
leihargic state invariably lasts 4 certain
number Of hours. She awakcs At six
O'Clock in the morning and at three
O'Clock and eight O'Clock each night,
never varying a one half minute from
the regular time She takes but very
little nourishmcnt. and that only twice
in tweniy-four hours. During the time
in which She sleeps she does not appear
TO breathe, and mirror held against her
nostriS remains untarnished Her
breathing. if indeed she breaihcs at all,
is not sufficient to stir the slightest down
suspended against her nosirils by silken
thread. When her remarkable cond-
tion became known, physicians 1ockcd
from all parts of the country to see her.
None were able satisfactorily, to account
for the phenomenon, although many
theories were advanced. The true cause
has never to this day been determined,
although the woman may still be alter
nately sleeping and waking with the
regularity of clock work. One physi-
clan who visited her continually for six
teen years, frankly confessed that he
could form no opinion regarding the
cause.
She is described aS rather under me-
dium 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
alyzcd. enjoys as far as she can enjoy
anything, good health. One remarkable
feature of the case is, that while her
hair has grown to great length her finger
nails have not grown any since she was
first stricken. Far from anything re-
pugnant in her appearance, even while
animation is suspended, she would be
considered very pretty lady by those
unacquainted with her condition. She
retains what knowledge she possessed at
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 moments. Before falling
asleep slight hiccough or choking
sound proceeds apparently from her
throat. She then so quickly becomes
inScnSible that she is sometimes unable
10 finish 4 sentence oreven word while
talking \ short time since commit
tee of five physicians were appointed to
watch the subject, and found the case
was just Is it had been represented to be.