Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-07
GRACE eRIplsWs LONG NAP
Asleep Three Quarters ofti year withou,
Loss Of Flesh or vitality ani Resist
Ing Attempts at Awakening.

Asleep Three Quarters oftie year without
Loss Of Flesh or Vitality ani Resist
Ing Attempts at Awakening.
A most strange and wonderful case is
that OF pretty Grace Gridloy, better
known as the sleeping beauty OF Amboy,"
who has Just awakened from nine
months' sleep, saws an Amboy an, spo-
cial 20 the New York Herald of Friday.
Her case, first given Is the public about
six months ago through the columns Of the
Herald, has attracted the attention of
medical people from all over the country
and has been the subject of elaborate dis
cussions. The marvellous feature Of the
ease is the prolonged suspension Of mental
animation without the usual wasting Of
physical energies
As to the history of the case. this quaint.
Little old-iashined New Englandish town
has n strange story TO tell.
There was q great religious revival i'm
AInboy last spring, held in the big Conpro-
cationai church. Every one in Amboy who
was consistent church member attended
regularly and strove hard tor the CONVEX
sion Of those who were not. II was a time
of great religious eXcitement--a glorious
revival. they said, such as Amboy had not
seen for years. Among the most tireless
workers was Grace Gridley. Tall, fair.
graceful, this nineteen-old-grl with the
earnest. handsome face. gave her whole
heart TO the work, doing and thinking OF
nothing else.
A LONG REST.
The strain upon her mind and nerves be-
came greater than her strength. One eve
ming she went home utterly exhausted.
The next morning the rising sun crept
through the window of her bedroom and
shone full upon her sleeping face, but
walked her not She did not appear at her
accustomed place at the table, and when
her mother went TO call her she was sleep
ing 50 soundly that the good woman said:
" Let her sleep. poor dear; she must be
very tired" So she slept all the morning.
When she failed 10 arouse IN the afternoon
the mother attempted 20 awaken her, but
could not do so. She became frightened
and a physician was sent tor, but nothing
could be done TO arouse the girl. with
lightly closed eyes. half smiling lips, ROSY
cheeks. and gently-neaying breast the girl
slumbered on day after day and week az
ter week.
The first symptoms Of this strange sleep
appeared (unnoticcd az the time) about the
middle Of March during the revival. Grace
began sleeping quite late mornings. con-
trary TO her usual habit. II was thought
she was greatly fatigued with the nervous
excitement Of her work and she was al
bed at noon. and her mother carried her
breakfast up TO her. thinking she must be
i'll. She was awakened with difficulty, and
although apparently IN the best of health
she replied TO her mother dreamIly that she
dId not want TO eat.
Il ought not to have walked up" she
said regTetfully. The strange remark was
afterward recalled. She ate sparingly IL
response TO urging and quickly went TO
sleep again. Her mother left her, a little
troubled, but not greatly alarmed. Then
came the night of great excitement, fol-
lowed by complete exhaustion and the fol-
lowing sound sleep, from which she could
not be aroused. She lay limp and notion
less, but with heart and respiration nor
nal.
INEFFECTUAL ATTEMPTS TO ROUSE THE
SLIPPER.
DIR. Travers. who was called in, was un-
able TO make a satisfactory diagnosis. All
efforts to arouse the girl were futile. On
the third day DR.. Travers decided to try
the effect of a galvanic battery. The
electric current was turned on stronger
and stronger, the eyellds OF the sleeper
suddenly quiycred, she moved res lessly,
and then the spell fell aud she sat up.
She expressed no surprise, but talked
naturally and without the least emotion.
She said she had been conscious oil the
while and knew all that took place IN the
ROOM She suffered no pain, she said, ex-
cept just as she awoke.
. oughn't to have awoke," she said
again. strangely. and with that she ceased
speaking and became drowsy. Her head
dropped on the pillow and her eyes closed.
DR.. Travers Immediately applied the bat
terry.
great pain. you'll kill me-kill me
don't! -
And she sank away, fast asleep. In vain
rent. stronger and stronger-as strong as
he dared. 1t was useles, and he ceased
the attempt.
Once since then she awoke. 1t was the
next day, Mrs. Gridley was alone in the
sitting-room below, when Grace suddenly
appeared in the doorway, apparently
awake and possessed of all her faculties;
She did not notice her mother, bnt crossed
quickly to table. upon which lay Bible.
She snatched II up III her arms ana then
sank 20 the floor as woman talnts. she
was tenderly carried back 10 her bed,
wh ere she has been ever since until now.
AMEDICAL STATEMENT.
at is a cataleptic hysteria," said DIR.
Travers. 1T differs from catalepsy IN
This way: The muscles are rigid in cata-
lepsy hers are not; she seeps TO have
rari9in amount of control over them.
Whenever she tired of lying on one side
She turned over 70 the other. This Is the
only motion she has made.
Religions excitement IS the cause OF
it," continued the Doctor. can best
explain il by using the word lntrOspeC-
tom She was in that condition of mind
when the thoughts were all turned in
ward introspection entirely, and she
lost the last Visage of interest IN outward
things. 1t is psychological aud nervous
phenomenon. not without parallel, but
truly a remarkable one"
The same opinion was expressed by
other physicians who were called INTO con-
sultatlon.
THE AWAKENING.
So the days and weeks passed on with
no change in the girls condition. Sum-
mer faded TO autumn and autumn TO WIN
ter. and still the girl slept on, tenderly
guarded by those around her. Suddenly
last Friday change came. Miss Grace
onened her ewes with little yawn, turned
over. and looked at the nurse in a doubt
full way. She then quickly arose without
a word, dressed and went down stairs.
when she took her place at the table as
usual. To the surprised inquiries OF
her parents she paid no heed, but ate
little food.
Since then she has been about as usual.
but, strange to say, does not notice any
one around her. When pressed by her
mother she only answered in cultural
tones, which had no semblance TO human
language. She had evidently lost the
faculty OF articulation. Her present CON
dition is as much a puzzle to her parents
and friends as was her long sleep.
-------c.-----
sarah Bernhardt's Gowns.
As Sarah Bernhardt expects to be absent
from PARIS two wears her farewell visits TO