EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF PROLONGED SLEEP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2325, 4 June 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF PROLONGED SLEEP.

Ax extraordinary : case of catalepsy has occurred at a restaurant at Soho. It appears that on Tuesday a Frenchman named Chauffat, who had in his possession SOOf. (£32) came to tho hotel. He went out that night, and returned on Thursday morning in a cab and went- to bed, and has remained in a trance from that time up to the present. He appears to have been robbed of his money and a gold watch and chain. In his possession was found a card in French, the following being a translation : —" In actual treatment at SalpCtriore Hospital, Boulevard de FHopital, Paris. If any accident occurs to me—any nervous seizure, prolonged sleep or similar ailment—kindly send me immediately to the hospital where all expenses will be paid.—Paris, December 26, 1526." Then follows the man's name, "Uhauffat," and •' at the request of Dr Charcot; " showing that he has been a patient of that physician. Cases of prolonged catalepsy are very exceptional, and an attack is generally sudden. While in this] state the person affected is sometimes conscious of what is going on around him, but cannot move. An attag}* may last, according to medical autl#&rities, six weeks or longer. The recovery is as sudden as the attack.