Valdemar's house, accompanied, now and then, by medical and other
friends. All this time the sleeper-waker remained exactly as I have
last described him. The nurses' attentions were continual.
It was on Friday last that we finally resolved to make the
experiment of awakening or attempting to awaken him; and it is the
(perhaps) unfortunate result of this latter experiment which has given
rise to so much discussion in private circles --to so much of what I
cannot help thinking unwarranted popular feeling.
For the purpose of relieving M. Valdemar from the mesmeric trance, I
made use of the customary passes. These, for a time, were
unsuccessful. The first indication of revival was afforded by a
partial descent of the iris. It was observed, as especially
remarkable, that this lowering of the pupil was accompanied by the
profuse out-flowing of a yellowish ichor (from beneath the lids) of
a pungent and highly offensive odor.
It was now suggested that I should attempt to influence the
patient's arm, as heretofore. I made the attempt and failed. Dr. F--
then intimated a desire to have me put a question. I did so, as
follows:
"M. Valdemar, can you explain to us what are your feelings or wishes
now?"
There was an instant return of the hectic circles on the cheeks; the
tongue quivered, or rather rolled violently in the mouth (although the
jaws and lips remained rigid as before;) and at length the same
hideous voice which I have already described, broke forth:
"For God's sake! --quick! --quick! --put me to sleep --or, quick!
--waken me! --quick! --I say to you that I am dead!"
I was thoroughly unnerved, and for an instant remained undecided
what to do.
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