Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-06-09
Some Remarkable Long Maps Tha
Have Bafficd the Physicians.

baffied modern doctors and scientists
is that presented by people who have
fallen into frances and remained
asleep for number of years, defying
all the efforts Of the greatest savarlts
TO awake them from their heavy slufn-
Der. One of the most remarkable Of
these cases is that of Caroline Olson.
native of the little island of okuot
off the coast of Sweden, who fell aslesp
in 1876 and did not awake until 1907
The case was recently discussed by
DR. Froderstream. of Paris, who made
a detailed examination of the case. II
appears that for the first II years of
her life Caroline OLSON was I'm perfect
health. Then she fell i'll and ultimate
ly sank into a trance. from Which no
one could awaken her Food was ar
tificialv administered. and for years
she exhibited no interest in any one
or anything. Then SUDDENLY she awoke.
and the most careful examination
failed to reveal the slightest weakness
or mental defect Since then she has
enjoyed exceptionally good health
This seems to be the longest nap on
record, although there have been sew
eral instances of sleeps lasting 20
years. Another case in which the
sleeper regained normal health Is that
reported from Minnesota. where q
German some time ago completed a
sleep which, with the exception of q
solitary week. continued for % years
He went to sleep quite naturally one
night, but the following morning re.
manned in bed and from that time for
over score of years he scarcely ever
reused once a day in order TO be fed
with his diet consisting of little
milk which was poured down his
throat. Immediately this was done he
was fast asleep again. Doctors ut
terly failed either tn account for this
or TO arouse him thoroughly, and not
even electric shocks would awaken
him. Ultimately he awokc of his own
accord and soon regained his lost
strength.
Equally remarkable was the case OF
Margaret Bonyenval, the "dorin0use OF
Meneles." as she was known, who. AT
ter being in trance for 20 years, died
in 1908. In 1883, when II years OF
age she became unconscious as the
result of practical joke played upon
her by friend. and was never again
aroused from her coInatose state. She
was fed by tube, and after time
became the most -talked-of woman on
the continent Medical celebrities
from all over the world visited her.
but failed to diagnose her particular
case or bring about any remedy. In
another case a young woman VINO Hdd
been asleep for IL years awoke sud
denly at the sound of bell which she
imagin had been rung for breakfast.
This calls to mind the case OF the
woman in Belgium. who. after being
asleep for IL years, was aroused by
the discordant bells ringing In conse-
auence of an outbreak of fire. When
she awoke she was in perfect normal
condition in mind and body. pre-
scented healthy appearance, and re-
membered perfectly events which ilao
taken place II years previously. FROM
Spain comes the story of the wife vi
a farmer near Burgos. who was some
time ago awakened from trance
which had lasted 81 years. Inc easy
was under the close observation y.
medical experts during the whole Oh
that time. and various means were
employed 10 restore her to consciou9
ness. but they failed. Ultimately sue
regained her senses and reineii'oeieu
distinctly incidents of her slrihood'
Philadelphia Ledger.