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was no farther subject to my will. I endeavored in vain to make it follow the direction of my hand. The only
real indication, indeed, of the mesmeric influence, was now found in the vibratory movement of the tongue,
whenever I addressed M. Valdemar a question. He seemed to be making an effort to reply, but had no longer
sufficient volition. To queries put to him by any other person than myself he seemed utterly insensible --
although I endeavored to place each member of the company in mesmeric rapport with him. I believe that I
have now related all that is necessary to an understanding of the sleep-waker's state at this epoch. Other nurses
were procured; and at ten o'clock I left the house in company with the two physicians and Mr. L -- l.
In the afternoon we all called again to see the patient. His condition remained precisely the same. We had now
some discussion as to the propriety and feasibility of awakening him; but we had little difficulty in agreeing
that no good purpose would be served by so doing. It was evident that, so far, death (or what is usually termed
death) had been arrested by the mesmeric process. It seemed clear to us all that to awaken M. Valdemar would
be merely to insure his instant, or at least his speedy dissolution.
From this period until the close of last week -- an interval of nearly seven months -- we continued to make
daily calls at M. 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.
Information prepared by the Project Gutenberg legal advisor 48
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. At first I made an endeavor to
re-compose the patient; but, failing in this through total abeyance of the will, I retraced my steps and as
earnestly struggled to awaken him. In this attempt I soon saw that I should be successful -- or at least I soon
fancied that my success would be complete -- and I am sure that all in the room were prepared to see the
patient awaken.
For what really occurred, however, it is quite impossible that any human being could have been prepared.
As I rapidly made the mesmeric passes, amid ejaculations of "dead! dead!" absolutely bursting from the
tongue and not from the lips of the sufferer, his whole frame at once -- within the space of a single minute, or
even less, shrunk -- crumbled -- absolutely rotted away beneath my hands. Upon the bed, before that whole
company, there lay a nearly liquid mass of loathsome -- of detestable putridity.
~~~ End of Text ~~~
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THE BLACK CAT.
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