Girl In a Trance.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 9, 12 January 1904, Page 4

Girl In a Trance.

ASLEEP FOH FIFTEEN' YEAHS'. A telegram from Bremen on Monday (says a. Home patper) stated that, in the nviglvbotirinK village of Grambke, a girl named Gesine Meyer, wlvo haKl been in a tnatice for 15 years, has suddenly awakened, owing, it is said, to an alaain of lire, 'line girl, who fell into a state of coma on Dec. 27, 1888, has been hive subject of mental study ever siiK-e. Slie is mentally and physically healthy, has a fresh appearance, ai.U clearly remembers events which happe-ned before the beginning ol im trance. Gesine Meyer, wlKi is now 43, fell from a cart in her 17th year. Sliortly after this accident she complained of suffering from u sevuie touaidacln;. and tlnjn fell into a deathlike sleep, which lasted three months. After recovering consciousness she was perfectly well, attended to her usual household duties as if nothing had happened. For two years ail went well. Then she aigain took to sleeping for considerable iieriods, interspersed by long intervals of normal habits. At la.st she; went into her 15 years' sleep. On Sunday a lire broke out in the village aod the alarm bells were rung. Scarcely haid their harsh sounds penetrated the room where Gesine lay than sbc suddenly sat up in bod aiild culled her father and Ij'rother by name. The surprise and pleasure experienced at her awakening, _ which resembled- more a resurrection from doatih, may be imagined.

One of her first questions was Uoout her mother, wi u> had died many years ago. On the sad news 'cving broken to her she criod 'bitterly. Seeing her brother, who 15 years ago had been doing lias military service, standing by her side in avihani clothes, she askud him why he was not in uniform. On his answering that lie was now a married limit, an'd had long ago completed his military service, she appeared to be surprised, aire was then told taiat she had been asleep fur 1"> years. "Why I thought 1 had been laslccp only for one night, ■' she replied. Gesine has no recollection of anything that -has bapj».. w .u during Wnsi long lapse of time.

She. was well nourished during her Hleep and willingly allowed her mouth to be opened, Out if the food was not to her taste she closed her teeth Her sense of smell was especially and slie knew immodiately if a stranger entered the room. On tile other Ivand the sease of louring and of 5„ c .,.,.h completely disa]i|peared during her unconsciousness. Slw was never ill anU her digestion was unimpaired' once awakening, Gestae is in great Ivar of aguTii going to sleep.