Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-07-18
SIX MONTHS ASLEEP.
The Long and InexpIicabIe Nap of Connecticut
Man of 35.


| The Long and InexpIicabIe Nap of Connecticut
| Man of 35.
From the Bridgeport Comm Standard.i
Skillful medical men, deep thinkers,
and even the psychologically gifted have
been called on for opinions as to what
ails Mr.. Thomas ". Platt-what first in
duced his drowsiness, and what has
| tended to blind and keep him so long IN
4 lethargic state, compared with which
there is no parallel In medical history.
Mr.. Platt is at this time IN the house where
he has always resided with his father,
SIR. Wanzer Platt, we'll TODD farmer,
whose dwelling stands four miles from
| Newtown and about the same distance
from Bethel, at point knowna as Morgan's
Four Corners. The sleeper is a we'll
built man, about 80 years old. He re-
ceived a good education, and in manhood
| as In youth was above mediocrity as to
intelligence and amiability. While not
leading in the social circle, he always
stood well with his fellows and enjoyed
the respect of all who knew him. OF a
| retiring disposition, he was unlike most
| Of the young men of his town, in that he
never had hankering to leave home to
| take position in some store or business
house, preferring rather the quiet of his
native heath. Owning a productive
farm, the father sought to conduct it on
correct principles, by which it is under.
stood that, to receive real profit, one
must do most of the work within him
self, and assisting in this the sleeper
| secured pleasure and satisfaction. He
waseever an obedlent son, and in pay
ment therefor was the subject of special
paternal care. During the spring of
1882, Mr. PIatt, to be in fashion with
the rest of the world, was attacked with
malaria, and while treatment of the dis
ease was in accordance with symptoms,
recovered slowly, and afterwards was at
no time free from its effects. During
the summer he continued working
OF the farm, but manifested few
comatose symptoms, and during the hay
ing peuCd he was as active IN the field
as any, and conducted himself in ali
particulars as he had done in previous
years. One hot day, however, he was
affected more than usual by the heat,
and, while not overcome by it, lay down
on the hay under a tree to rest, hoping
10 feel better after short nap. While
under the tree, the belief is entertained
by his mother, Mrs. Platt, that he suf-
fered sun-stroke, for on being removed
to the house he acted and talked strange
ly and was never afterward really HIM
SELF Whether it was malaria, sun
stroke, or the two combined that lin
duced his present condition or not, GER
tain it is that after last Thanksgiving he
kept himself aloof, remained most of the
time within doors, and, three or four
days before Christmas, sank into deep
sleep in 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 a slight change in the sleeper,
which was manifested by an inclination
to move, but he did not open his eyes,
and during the three months since his
semi set in has scarcely
eaten enough to sustain life. What in
f1uence kept life in him is more than any
one can tell. With frightening 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 suffer
ing, and silence seemed to indicate that
his wish was simply to be left alone.
Later he was assisted to a sitting posi-
ton, but the kindest words of an affec
tionate mother were uttered in vain in
his ears-those words fell upon the ears
of one totally bereft of reason. At last
he was taken from the bed and his
clothes pat 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 Oh by articles of furniture,
and afterwa1d he could stand and walk
alone. No power of language, howev-
er, resulted in the reply of syllable.
As days came and went, he walked from
his bed to the rocker, and back again to
the bed. Daily, like an infant, he was
dressed and undressed. Evidences of
returning strength have been marked
since the return of warm weather, but
reason only IN part. Hunger has
swayed him TO answer its call,
and, as if by instinct, while ago he
scented the way to the household pan
try, some boyish memory, it may be, of
the hiding place Of frosted cake and
mince pie giving the cue and direction,
and he has since, at nearly regular in
tervals, ogcillated between the chair and
the cupboard shelves. In transit his
eyes have opened only partially, and he
has uttered involuntary words only, and
none which could be understood or ac-
cepted as intelligent or with motive.
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 main
tains an upright position, gently leaning
with the left arm for support on the arm
of a chair, his eyes all the while closed
/ NNhera h11nner. rnror,or,tc he rises ofta1