At present there is a soldier at the Chestnut Hill Military Hospital, Philadelphia,
who has not slept for a single moment for fourteen years and six months.
Why it is that he cannot or does not sleep is as much a mystery to him as
it is to many scientific gentlemen, who having had their attention called
to him have been astonished in their attempts to investigate their cause.
Upon one occasion at his request, a number of curiously inclined men watched
him for forty days and nights consecutively, in order, if possible, to arrive
at the cause of this wonderful phenomenon. These gentlemen took turns in
the process of watching, so that if he should chance to sleep, he should
be observed. Some of the watchers became drowsy, and it was as much as he
could do to awaken them. This singular man was sent to Philadelphia by order
of the field surgeon. He was admitted in to the hospital at Chestnut Hill
on the 10th of November last, suffering from chronic diarrhea and rheumatism.
He has nearly recovered from his physical debility. His appetite is good,
but yet he does not sleep. He retires to bed the same as the other soldiers,
but yet he cannot sleep. He simply receives physical rest.
