Singular Story of Suspended Animation.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 398, 31 August 1889, Page 6

Singular Story of Suspended Animation.

The St. Leonards corespondent of the 'Daily Telegraph ' writes : — About a week ago a wife of a well known tradesman in Sfc. Leonards, fell ill and on Monday night last the doctor gave his opinion that she could not live through the next day. On Tuesday morning at ten o'clock the doctor pronounced his patient dead, the nurse who was in attendance confirming the opinion. The intimation of death naturally created great distress among the friends of the woman, who' was laid out in grave clothes and prepared for burial, and being a Roman Catholic a crucifix was placed in her hand as she lay on her bier. When ifc was announced that the woman was dying a priest was sent for, but he could not attend, as he was out of the town at the time. About a quarter to ten on Tuesday night the nurse entered the room without a light for the purpose of getting something that she knew where to find. While in the darkeried chamber she was startled to hear a slight cry proceeding from the bed where the body lay, and she rushed from the room in a terrible fright. , The widower, heaving the scream of fright, rushed into the chamber with a light, and was astounded to find that his wife had raised herself up in the bed on her elbow. She faintly uttered the words, l Where am I?' and again relapsed into a heavy sleep. The opportunity ,was seized of changing the shroud for proper habiliments, and in about an hour and a half she woke again perfectly conscious. Next morning she was told what had occurred, but was quite ignorant of everything that had passed,, thinking she had only had a long sleep. She is now doing well, and it is hoped she will soon be restored to health and strength. The doctor describes the case as the most remarkable he has ever met,with in his experience.