The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-05

SIX Months Asleep.
TIE LONG AND INExPLIcABLE NAP OF CON
NEcTIcUT MAN.
bridgeport iConn.l Standard
Skllful medical men, deep thinkers, ant
even the psychologcally gifted, have beer
called on FOR opinions as TO what ails Mr
Thomas w. Piatt--what first induced Ill,
drowsiness. and what has tended to bind
and keep him so long In iethargi'
state, compared with which there = nc
parallel In medical history. Mr.. fiat'
Is at this time In the house where
he has always resided, with bis iather'
Mr.. Wanzer Plat, wetl-to-do farmer,
whose dwelling stands four miles from
Newtown aud about the same distance
from Bethel, at point known as n9,S s,,,,s
Four Corners. The sleeper Is weii-ouii'
man. about thirty.five years old. lie re-
cejyed a good education, and In manhood,
as In youtb. was above mediocrity rs 10 in-
fclIieenee and amiability. While not lead
inc In the social circle, he always stood
we'll with his fellows and enjoyed the re-
snect Of ALI who knew him. OF retiring
disnosifion. he was unlike most OF the
yo,inr men OF his town, In that he never
had hankering to leave home 10 take po-
sition in some stere or business-house,
preferriDg rather the quiet Of his native
heath. Owning productive iarm, tue
father sought to conduct 1t on correct prin'
ciples, by which 1t is understood that. 70
receive real profit, one must DO most OF tne
work within himself, and assisting IN TINS
the sleeper secured pleasure and satisiac,
ton. lie was ever an obedient son, ana
in payment therefor was the subject OF
special paternal care. During the sprihg
~ Isso Mr.. plat, 10 be in fashion with the
rest al the world, was attacked with ma
Jaria- and while treatment OF the disease
was in accordance with symptoms, recov-
cred slowly, and aiterward was at no time
free from its effects. During the summer
he continued working on the farm, but
manifested a few comatose symptoms,
and during the haying period he was
as active i'm the field as any, and
conducted himself in oil particulars
rs he bad done in previous years.
Ore hot day, however, he was Affect
ed more than usual by the heat, and, while
not overcome by it, lay down on the hay
under tree to rest, hoping to feel better
after short nap. While under the tree,
the be,ief is entertained by his mother,
Mrs. Plat. that he suffered sunstroke; for
ON being removed TO the house he acted
and talked strangely, and was never alter
ward really himself. Whether II was ma
laria, sunstroke, or the two com0ined tnat
induced his present condition or not, GER
tain 1t is that after last thanksgiving he
kept himself alooi, remained most OF the
time within doors, and, three or Tour days
before Christmas sank INTO deep sleep
I'm his bed, continuing there till the
latter part Of January, scarcely changing
his position or recognizing any person
In attendance, and not once rousing from
his stupor. Meantime watchfulness and
care have been given him day and night.
Toward spring there was slight change
in the sleeper, which was manifested by an
inclination TO move. but he did not open
his ewes, and during the three months since
his semi-unconsciOusnes set IN has scarce
" eaten enough 10 sustain life. What in
iuenoe kept lie in him Is more than any
one can tell. With lengthening days he
was from time TO time bolstered up in bed,
still with closed eyes and mouth sealed
against speech. He expressed by sound or
motion no evidence OF suffering, and silence
seemed to indicate that his wish was sim
ply to be left alone. Later he was
assisted to a sitting position, but the kind
est words OF an aiiectionate mother were
uttered in vain in his ears-those words
fell as upon the ear OF one totally bereft OF
reason, At last he was taken from the bed
and his clothes put on. This was brought
about with difficulty, and he was like one
with no life and no muscular power. In
April he began to walk tremblingly at first.
holding on by articles OF furniture, and
afteIward he could stand and walk alone.
No mower of language, however, reaulted
in the reply of q syllable. As days
came and went he walked from bis bed
10 the rocker. and back again to the
bed. Daily, like an infant, he was dress
ed and updressed. Evidences OF returning
strength have been marked since the arri-
val of warm weather, but reason only in
mart. Hunger has swayed him to answer
its call. and, as il by instinct, while
ago ne scented the way to the household
pantry, some boyish memory, ii may be, OF
the hiding-place OF frosted cake and mince-
ME. giving the cue and direction, and he
has since, nj nearly regular intervals, oscil-
lated between the chair and the cup
board-shelyes. n transit his eyes have
opened only partially, and he has
uttered involuntary words only, and
none which could be understood or
accepted as intelligent or with mo-
tive. Rising In the morning, after sleeping
soundly all night, he is now regularly put
into his garments, like baby, and led to
the rocker, where he Immediately sinks to
slumber. In the chair he maintains an up
right position, gently leaning with the left
arm for support on the arm Of chair, his
eyes all the while closed. When hunger
prompts he rises, often with eyes wholly
shut, proceeds to the pantry, eats, re-
turns to the chair, sleeps, and wher
night comes disrobes and goes II
sleep again. In winter and early
spring, or before the strange nature o.
his case was known, many persons were
admitted to see person who could sleeI
so long and live, but Of late none are al
lowed to see the patient save the imme
diate members Of the family. The perio(
Of his lethargy at this writing covers IS,
days, with no evidence OF change for bet
ter or worse. though hope on the part o
friends Is ardent that he may live, and We
come out OF 1t and be himself again.