The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-07-12
A LONG NAP.
In the Arms of Morpheus from Christ
mas Till Near Independence
Day.


Day.
| NEwTowN, Con-,
June 80, 1888.
A singular case Of lethargic exist
ence is now the talk of Newtown.
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 we'll built man,
about thirty five years of age. He
had always assisted his father in the
working Of large farm. During the
spring of 1882 he was attacked with
malaria, and while he was treated
for it and appeared to have recover
ed, was never since wholly free from
it's effects. With the arrival of sum-
mer he worked on the farm, display
ing few comatose symptoms, and
during the haying period, was as ac-
tive as any. One 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 to feel better after a
short nap. Itproved to be a long
one, however, for although his days
of consecutive sleep did not then be-
gin the influence which tended to
make protracted sleep possible. in
stituted it's work. While under the
tree the belief is entertained by his
mother that he suffered sunscroke,
for on being removed to the house
he acted and talked strangely, and
never since seemed 10 be himself.
Whether it was malaria, sunstroke,
or the two combined that produced
his present condition or not, certain
it is that, after last Thanksgiving
Day, (November 3O), he kept himself
aloof, remained most of the time
within doors, and few days before
Christmas sank into deep sleep in
his bed, continuing there until the
latter part of January, scarcely
changing his position or recognizing
persons in attendance and not once
rousing from his stupor. Toward
spring there was slight change in
the sleeper, which was manifested by
an inclination to move, but he did
not open his eyes, and during three
months since his semi unconscious
, ness set in he has eaten. scarcely
: enough to sustain life.
SINGULAR SYMPTOMS.
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 expressed by sound Oh
: motion no evidence of suffering, and
> his silence seemed to indicate thai
5 his wish was simply to be left alone
l Later he was assisted to a sitting
position, but the affectlonate word:
: of his relatives were uttered in hl'
ears in vain. At last he was take1
from the bed and his clothes put on
J. This was brought about with Difficult
}" tv. as he was like one with no life
no muscular power. In April he be
gan to walk tremblingly, at frs
holding on by articles of furniture
o and afterward he could stand ant
s walk alone. No kind appeal sue
0 ceeded in drawing from him even tn
e reply of a syllable. AS the day
3 came and went he walked from hi
+ bed to the chair and back again t.
). bed. Daily, like an infant, he wa
n dressed and undressed. Evidence
8 of returning strength have bee
e marked since the arrival of war;
,r weather, but reason only in part. /
r. while he scented the way to tn
k household pantry, and he has since
d at nearly regular int rvals, oscillate
le between the chair and cupboar
is shelves. When me wing, his eye
g have spened partially, and he hs