54 WESLEY MILLS OH 



fore he lapsed into his present state ; but this much is certain, for the last thirty years or 

 more, about the end of September every year he falls into a deep sleep or stupor, and, as 

 his present condition is a fair sample of the manner in which his winters have been 

 passed since he was first attacked, I will describe him as I found him on Monday, Decem- 

 ber 10th, 1888, and repeat what I was told by his friends regarding his attack this 

 autumu : 



About August 31st, Jack went to bed after eating his evening meal as usual, without 

 exhibiting anything out of the common in his manner or otherwise, or giving any reason 

 for the supposition that he was out of sorts in any way. On the following morning he 

 did not get up, nor has he shown any more vitality than any sleeping man up to this 

 time. His sleep is very quiet without any stertor, indeed it is as calm as that of a child. 

 Twice in every twenty-four hours he is taken up, a person supporting him on each side, 

 holding a vessel for his convenience. He knows enough to voluntarily empty his blad- 

 der. The urine is high in colour and scant in quantity. About eleven o'clock every night 

 he seems to show rather more life than at any other time, and advantage is taken of this 

 to pour a little thin oatmeal gruel, beef-tea or soup down his throat, he opening his lips 

 to allow them to do so, and slowly swallowing it. He only takes a very little each time, 

 and, if urged to take more, simply keeps his mouth shut. About once in every thirty 

 days, not exactly at regular intervals, during the evening generally, the family will hear 

 a peculiar chattering noise. They never take any notice of it, for they know it is Jack 

 going down to the out-house to empty his bowels. He then returns to his bed and sleeps. 

 He knows enough to throw a quilt over his shoulders at such times. 



At the time of my visit I found his temperature 96' F., pulse 60, regular, though not 

 strong; respirations 14, easy and quiet, skin cool. A pin stuck into his arm caused no 

 apparent change, and he might be pinched until black and blue without its causing him 

 the slightest uneasiness. 



My first visit to Jack was about twenty years ago, when I first came to live and 

 practice in this vicinity, and it came about in this way. Of course there was a talk about 

 the new doctor and what he could do, so I was called to see this queer case. I got all the 

 particulars from the friends and neighbours, and what means had been tried by other 

 doctors, and then I promised to try what I could do. On the following day I went again, 

 accompanied by my brother, also a physician. We took with us a good galvanic battery. 

 One of the handles was placed in each hand and bound closely to the fingers with wet 

 bandages. We then put on the full power of the instrument. Poor old Jack was out of 

 bed in an instant, and I shall never forget his look of astonishment and horror as he 

 yelled out " Damnation, what's that ?" I can also well remember my own feelings of sat- 

 isfaction and complacency when the natives congratulated me on my success in this, my 

 first case. I walked off as if saying to myself, "I knew I could do it." . Well, Jack re- 

 mained awake about three days and then I got a message that my patient was off again. 

 I w^ent up and tried the battery a second time, with only the effect, however, of making 

 him open his eyes and grunt out " Eh," in a querulous manner, and after looking about 

 him for a half-hour or so, he lapsed into his former condition. Next day I agaiii tried the 

 battery, but without the slightest effect, so I gave it up as a hard case. 



This is all I have to say about this singular object, except that, of course, he becomes 

 very thin and haggard before he rouses finally in the spring and he does not fairly waken 

 until the end of May or first of June. During the summer months Jack does exactly the 



