The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-21
MODERN RIP VAN Wrinkle.

| Among the problems which have baTled
| modern doctors and scientists is that pre-
] scented by people who have fallen into
! frances and remained asleep for number
of years. defying all the efforts of the
greatest savants to awake them from
their heavy S1umbers. One of the most re-
markable of these cases is that of Caro-
line OLSON, native of the little Island
of Okuo, off the coast of Sweden, who fell
asleep in 1875 and did not awake until
1907. The case was recently discussed by
DIR. Frodstrom, of Paris, who made a de-
tailed examination of the case. 1t appears
that for the first IA years of her life Caro-
line OLSON was in perfect health Then
she fell i'll and ultimately sank into a
trance. from which one could awaken
her Food was artificiaIIy administered,
and for years she exhibited no interest in
any one or anything. Then suddenly she
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 several
instances of sleeps lasting 20 years. An
other case in which the sleeper regained
normal health is that reported from Min
neSota, where a German some time ago
completed a sleep which, with the eXcep-
ton of a 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 a score of years he scarcely ever
regained consciousness. He was reused
once a day in order to be fed with
his diet consisting of a little milk which
was poured DOWN his IilTOdl
this was done he was fast asleep again.
Doctors utterly failed either to account
for this to arouse him thoroughly. and
not even electric shocks would awaken
him. Ultimately he awoke of his own &C
cord and soon regained his lost strength.
Equally remarkable was the case OF
Margaret Bonyenval the "dormouSe OF
Menelles," as she was known. who, after
being in a trance for 20 years, died in
became unconscious as the result of a
practical joke played upon her by a
friend. and was never again aroused from
her comatose state. She was fed by a
tube, and after a time became the most
talked-of woman on the continent. Medf-
cal celebrities from all over the world
visited her but failed to diagnose her par
ticuIar case or bring about any remedy.
In another case young woman who had
been asleep for II years awoke suddenly
at the sound of bell which she imagined
had been rung for breakfast
This calls to mind the case of the woman
in Belgium. who, after being asleep for II
years. was aroused by the discordant bells
ringing in consequence of an outbreak of
fire. When she awoke she was in perfect
normal condition in mind and body. pre-
bered perfectly events which had taken
place II years previously. From SPAN
comes the story of the wife of a farmer
near Burgos. who was some time ago
awakened from a trance which had lasted
81 years. The case was under the close
observation of medical experts during the
whole of that time, and various means
ness. but they failed Ultimately she re-
gained her senses and remembered dis
tinctly incidents of her girlhood.-Pnila-
delphia Ledger.