Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-07-05
Aancastel' .9ntelligenccr.
ALONG NAP.
In the Arms OF Morpheus from Christm ~
rIil near Independence Day.

In the Arms OF morpheus from Christmas
an near Independence Day.
A singular case of lethargic existence is
nov the talk If Newtown, Conn. The
sleeper is Sherman w. Platt. who has
always resided with his father, Mr..
Veneer Platt, a we'll tO.do farmer whose
place is located four miles distant from
Newtown Centre. Young Mr.. Platt is a
we'll built man about thirty five years OF
age. lie had always assisted his father
in tho working of large farm. During
the spring of 1882 he was attacked with
malaria, and while he was treated for 1t
and appeared to have recovered was
never siuce wholly free from its effects.
With the arrival Of summer he worked on
the farm, displaying few comatOse symp
toms, and during the haying period was
as active as any. One day, however, he
was affected moro than usual by the heat,
and. while not overcome by it, lay down
ON the hay under a tree to rest, hoping TO
feel better after short nap. 1t proved to
be a long one, however, for although his
days of consecutive sleep did not then
begin the influence which tended to make
prOtracted sleep possible instituted it's
work, While under the tree the belief
is entertained by his mother that he
suffered sunstroke, for on being re-
moved to the house he acted and talkt d
strangely, and never since seemed to Oe
himself. Whether it was malaria, sun
stroke or the two combined that produced
his present condition or not. certain it is
that after last Thanksgiving day (Novem .
ber 33l he kept himself alOOf, RENAME d
most Of the time within doors and fe W
days before Christmas sank into deep
sleep in his bed, continuing there till the
latter part of January, scarcely changing
his position or recognizing persons In at
tendance and not once arOusing from his
stupor. Toward spring there was slight
change in the sleeper, which was mani
tested by an inclination to move, but he
did not open his eyes, and during three
mouths since his self-unconsciousness set
in he has eaten scarcely enough to sustain
life.
singular Sympt6ms.
What influence kept life in him is more
than anyone can tell. He was bolstered
up in bed, still with closed eyes and
mouth sealed against speech. He ex-
pressed by sound or motion no evidence of
suffering, and his silencs seemed to indi
cate that his wish was simply to be left
alone Later he was assisted to a sitting
position. but the affectionate words of his
relatives We're uttered in his ears in vain.
At last he was taken from the bed and
his clothes put ON. This was brought
about with difficulty, as he was like
one with no life-no muscular power.
In April he began to walk tremblingly,
at first holding on by articles of furniture
and afterwards he could stand and walk
walk alone. No kind appeal succeeded in
t1,. Iu If n
syllable. AS the days came and went he
back again to bed. Daily, like an infant,
he was dressed and undressed. Evidences
of returning strength have been marked
Since the arrival of warm weather, but
reason only in part. a while ago he
scented tho way to the household pantry,
and he has since at nearly regular inter
walls oscillated between the chair and
cupboard shelves When moving his eyes
have opened partially, and he has ut
tered involuntary words only, but none
which could be understood or accepted as
intelligent. On rising in the morning
after sleeping soundly at night he is reg
ularly dressed, like a baby, and led to hi:
chair, where he Immediately sinks to sleel
When hunger prompts he rises, proceed:
to the pantry, eats, returns to the chair,
sleeps and when night comes is undressed
aud goes to sleep again. la winter AM
early spring or befoIe the nature of hi!
strange case was known mauy visitor:
were admitted to SEQ the pei son who coult
sleep So long and live, but of late no on'
is allowed to see the patient save tine i'm
mediate members of tho family. The
period of his letliarpy at this wIitin:
covers 191 days