Human Hibernation

Abstract

MY letter on the Hibernation of the Siberian mammoth has been followed by two others, extremely interesting, but dealing, I may say exclusively, with the question of human hibernation, and the evidence offered in support of it; this raises a very important consideration, concerning which I ask leave to offer a few remarks:—The “fact,” as stated by Mr. Braid, is that credible persons witnessed the burial of a man in a state of sleep or torpor, and that the same man was dug up alive some months afterwards, Why should we not believe this? The answer is not an easy one, nor can it be given in few words, but is in great measure that the same kind of almost unimpeachable testimony is to be had for any number of astounding occurrences, and that if the testimony is to be believed in one case, why should it not be accepted in all others? why are we driven to be so mistrustful? On this I will only say a few words, as your space is so limited. We know that some 5000 or 6000 years ago there existed a people—the Accadians—who, in their cuneiform writings, have left the most complete account of their daily lives and doings. We learn that these men regulated almost every act by the predictions of magicians, astrologers, or one form or another of impostors. We see, therefore, that the world was even then divided into knaves and dupes, Now this has been clearly going on ever since, and probably for indefinite ages before. The knaves having begun as such, have, for the most part, but by no means exclusively, developed into honest, or partially honest, fanatics; the dupes have greatly developed ther credulity; and the stage had been reached that an individual with a sane and healthy mind was, if he escaped death, held in such disfavour as to stand a very poor chance in the struggle for existence. The scientific and critical revival of late years has arisen, I believe, partly because life is more secure, and toleration more prevalent, the virtually diseased mental condition is allowed to recover itself. To apply these views to the explanation of the particular case in point above referred to, we must remember that the burial was performed by men, descendants of others wholly unscrupulous, magicians, tricksters, who had probably followed the same calling for ages, and acquired an hereditary skill in such deceptions. Those who have witnessed, as I have done, their marvellous feats—for instance, of the native Indian jugglers—cannot doubt but that the case described was at all events within their power.