the Facts in_the case of M .Valdemar

by Edgar Allan Poe

of_course I_shall_not pretend to consider it any matter for wonder, that_the extraordinary case of M .Valdemar has excited discussion . it would_have_been a miracle had it not- especially under the circumstances . through_the desire of all parties concerned, to_keep the affair from_the public, at_least for_the_present, or until we had farther opportunities for investigation -- through our endeavors to effect this -- agarbled or exaggerated account made its way into society, and became the source of many unpleasant misrepresentations, and, very naturally, of a great deal of disbelief .

it_is now rendered necessary that I_give the facts -- as far as I comprehend them myself . they_are, succinctly, these:

my attention, for_the_last three years, had_been repeatedly drawn to_the subject of mesmerism; and, about nine months_ago it occurred to_me, quite suddenly, that in_the series of experiments made hitherto, there had_been a very remarkable and most unaccountable omission: -- no person had as_yet been mesmerized in articulo mortis . it remained to_be seen, first, whether, in_such condition, there existed in_the patient any susceptibility to_the magnetic influence; secondly, whether, if any existed, it_was impaired or increased by_the condition; thirdly, to what extent, or for how long a period, the encroachments of death might_be arrested by_the process . there were other points to_be ascertained, but these most excited my curiosity -- the last in especial, from_the immensely important character of_its consequences .

in looking around me for some subject by whose means I_might test these particulars, i_was brought to_think of_my friend, M . Ernest Valdemar, the well- known compiler of_the "Bibliotheca Forensica," and author ( under the nom de plume of Issachar Marx) of_the polish versions of "Wallenstein" and "Gargantua ." M .Valdemar, who has resided principally at Harlaem, N .Y ., since_the year 1839, is ( or was) particularly noticeable for_the extreme spareness of_his person -- his lower limbs much resembling those of John Randolph; and, also, for_the whiteness of_his whiskers, in violent contrast to_the blackness of_his hair -- the latter, in consequence, being very generally mistaken for a wig . his temperament was markedly nervous, and rendered him a good subject for mesmeric experiment . on two_or_three occasions I had put him to sleep with little difficulty, but was disappointed in other results which his peculiar constitution had naturally led me to anticipate . his will was at no period positively, or thoroughly, under my control, and in regard to clairvoyance, I_could accomplish with_him nothing to_be relied upon .I always attributed my failure at_these points to_the disordered state of_his health . for some months previous to my becoming acquainted with_him, his physicians had declared him in a confirmed phthisis . it_was his custom, indeed, to_speak calmly of_his approaching dissolution, as of a matter neither to_be avoided nor regretted .

when_the ideas to_which I_have alluded first occurred to_me, it_was of_course very natural that i_should think of M .Valdemar . I_knew the steady philosophy of_the man too well to apprehend any scruples from_him; and he had no relatives in America who_would_be likely to interfere .I spoke to him frankly upon_the_subject; and, to my surprise, his interest seemed vividly excited . I_say to my surprise, for, although he had always yielded his person freely to my experiments, he had never before given me any tokens of sympathy with what I_did . his disease was if_that character which would admit of exact calculation in respect to_the epoch of_its termination in death; and it_was finally arranged between_us that he_would send for_me about twenty-four hours before_the period announced by his physicians as_that of_his decease .

it_is now rather more than seven months since I received, from M .Valdemar himself, the subjoined note:

my dear P -- ,

you_may as_well come now .D -- and F -- are agreed that I_cannot hold out beyond to- morrow midnight; and i_think they_have hit the time very nearly .

VALDEMAR

I received this note within half an hour after it_was written, and in fifteen minutes more i_was in_the dying man's chamber .I had_not seen him for ten days, and was appalled by_the fearful alteration which the brief interval had wrought in him . his face wore a leaden hue; the eyes were utterly lustreless; and_the emaciation was so extreme that_the skin had_been broken through by_the cheek-bones . his expectoration was excessive . the pulse was barely perceptible . he retained, nevertheless, in a very remarkable manner, both his mental power and a certain degree of physical strength . he spoke with distinctness -- took some palliative medicines without aid -- and, when I entered the room, was occupied in penciling memoranda in a pocket- book . he_was propped up in_the bed by pillows .Doctors D -- and F -- were in attendance .

after pressing Valdemar's hand, i_took these gentlemen aside, and obtained from_them a minute account of_the patient's condition . the left lung had_been for eighteen months in asemi- osseous or cartilaginous state, and was, of_course, entirely useless for all purposes of vitality . the right, in its upper portion, was also partially, if_not thoroughly, ossified, while the lower region was merely a mass of purulent tubercles, running one into another . several extensive perforations existed; and, at one point, permanent adhesion to_the ribs had taken place . these appearances in_the right lobe were of comparatively recent date . the ossification had proceeded with very unusual rapidity; no sign of it had discovered a month before, and_the adhesion had only been observed during the three previous days .Independently of_the phthisis, the patient was suspected of aneurism of_the aorta; but on_this point the osseous symptoms rendered an exact diagnosis impossible . it was_the opinion of both physicians that M .Valdemar would die about midnight on_the morrow ( Sunday) . it_was then seven o'clock on Saturday evening .

on quitting the invalid's bed- side to hold conversation with myself, Doctors D -- and F -- had bidden him a final farewell . it had_not_been their intention to return; but, at my request, they agreed to look in upon_the patient about ten the next night .

when_they had gone, I spoke freely with M .Valdemar on_the_subject of_his approaching dissolution, as_well as, more particularly, of_the experiment proposed . he still professed himself quite willing and even anxious to_have it made, and urged me to commence it at once .a male and a female nurse were in attendance; but I_did_not feel myself altogether at liberty to engage in a task of_this character with no more reliable witnesses than these people, in_case of sudden accident, might prove .I therefore postponed operations until about eight the next night, when_the arrival of a medical student with_whom I had some acquaintance, ( Mr Theodore L -- l,) relieved me from farther embarrassment . it had_been my design, originally, to wait for_the physicians; but i_was induced to_proceed, first, by_the urgent entreaties of M .Valdemar, and secondly, by my conviction that I had_not a moment to lose, as he_was evidently sinking fast .

Mr L -- l was so kind as_to accede to my desire that he_would take notes of all that occurred, and it_is from_his memoranda that what I now have to relate is, for_the most part, either condensed or copied verbatim .

it wanted about five minutes of eight when, taking the patient's hand, I begged him to state, as distinctly as he_could, to Mr L -- l, whether he (M .Valdemar) was entirely willing that i_should make_the experiment of mesmerizing him in_his then condition .

he replied feebly, yet quite audibly, " yes, i_wish to_be " I_fear you_have mesmerized" -- adding immediately afterwards, deferred it too long ."

while he spoke thus, I commenced the passes which I had already found most effectual in subduing him . he_was evidently influenced with_the first lateral stroke of_my hand across his forehead; but although I exerted all my powers, no farther perceptible effect was induced until some minutes after ten o'clock, when Doctors D -- and F -- called, according to appointment .I explained to_them, in a few words, what I designed, and as_they opposed no objection, saying that_the patient was already in_the death agony, I proceeded without hesitation -- exchanging, however, the lateral passes for downward ones, and directing my gaze entirely into_the right eye of_the sufferer .

by_this_time his pulse was imperceptible and_his breathing was stertorous, and at intervals of half a minute .

this condition was nearly unaltered for a quarter of an hour . at_the expiration of_this period, however, a natural although a very deep sigh escaped the bosom of_the dying man, and_the stertorous breathing ceased -- that_is_to_say, its stertorousness was no longer apparent; the intervals were undiminished . the patient's extremities were of an icy coldness .

at five minutes before eleven I perceived unequivocal signs of_the mesmeric influence . the glassy roll of_the eye was changed for_that expression of uneasy inward examination which_is never seen except in cases of sleep-waking, and which it_is quite impossible to mistake . with a few rapid lateral passes I_made the lids quiver, as in incipient sleep, and with a few more I closed them altogether . i_was not satisfied, however, with_this, but continued the manipulations vigorously, and with_the fullest exertion of_the will, until I had completely stiffened the limbs of_the slumberer, after placing them in a seemingly easy position . the legs were at full length; the arms were nearly so, and reposed on_the bed at a moderate distance from_the loin . the head was very slightly elevated .

when I had accomplished this, it_was fully midnight, and I requested the gentlemen present to examine M .Valdemar's condition . after a few experiments, they admitted him to_be an unusually perfect state of mesmeric trance . the curiosity of both the physicians was greatly excited .Dr .D -- resolved at once to remain with_the patient all night, while Dr .F -- took leave with a promise to return at daybreak .Mr L -- l and_the nurses remained .

we left M .Valdemar entirely undisturbed until about three o'clock in_the morning, when I approached him and found him in precisely the same condition as when Dr .F -- went away -- that_is_to_say, he lay in_the same position; the pulse was imperceptible; the breathing was gentle ( scarcely noticeable, unless through_the application of a mirror to_the lips); the eyes were closed naturally; and_the limbs were as rigid and as cold as marble . still, the general appearance was certainly not that of death .

as I approached M .Valdemar I_made a kind of half effort to influence his right arm into pursuit of_my own, as I passed the latter gently to and fro above his person . in_such experiments with_this patient had never perfectly succeeded before, and assuredly I had little thought of succeeding now; but to my astonishment, his arm very readily, although feebly, followed every direction I assigned it with mine .I determined to hazard a few words of conversation .

"M .Valdemar," I_said, " are_you asleep ? " he_made no answer, but I perceived a tremor about_the lips, and was thus induced to repeat the question, again and again . at its third repetition, his whole frame was agitated by a very slight shivering; the eyelids unclosed themselves so_far as_to display a white line of_the ball; the lips moved sluggishly, and from between_them, in a barely audible whisper, issued the words:

" yes; -- asleep now . do_not wake me ! -- let me die so ! "

I here felt the limbs and found them as rigid as ever . the right arm, as before, obeyed the direction of_my hand .I questioned the sleep-waker again:

" do_you still feel pain in_the breast, M .Valdemar ? "

the answer now was immediate, but even less audible than before: " no pain -- I_am dying ."

I_did_not think it advisable to disturb him farther just then, and nothing more was said or done until the arrival of Dr .F -- , who came a little before sunrise, and expressed unbounded astonishment at finding the patient still alive . after feeling the pulse and applying a mirror to_the lips, he requested me to_speak to_the sleep-waker again . I_did so, saying:

"M .Valdemar, do_you still sleep ? "

as before, some minutes elapsed ere a reply was_made; and during the interval the dying man seemed to_be collecting his energies to_speak . at my fourth repetition of_the question, he_said very faintly, almost inaudibly:

" yes; still asleep -- dying ."

it_was now the opinion, or rather the wish, of_the physicians, that M .Valdemar should_be suffered to remain undisturbed in_his present apparently tranquil condition, until death should supervene -- and this, it_was generally agreed, must now take place within a few_minutes .I concluded, however, to_speak to him once more, and merely repeated my previous question .

while I spoke, there came a marked change over the countenance of_the sleep-waker . the eyes rolled themselves slowly open, the pupils disappearing upwardly; the skin generally assumed a cadaverous hue, resembling not so_much parchment as white paper; and_the circular hectic spots which, hitherto, had_been strongly defined in_the centre of each cheek, went out at once .I use this expression, because the suddenness of_their departure put me in mind of nothing so_much as_the extinguishment of a candle by a puff of_the breath . the upper lip, at_the same time, writhed itself away from_the teeth, which it had previously covered completely; while the lower jaw fell with an audible jerk, leaving the mouth widely extended, and disclosing in full view the swollen and blackened tongue .I presume that no member of_the party then present had_been unaccustomed to death- bed horrors; but so hideous beyond conception was_the appearance of M .Valdemar at_this moment, that there_was a general shrinking back from_the region of_the bed .

I now feel that I_have reached a point of_this narrative at which every reader will_be startled into positive disbelief . it_is my business, however, simply to_proceed .

there_was no longer the faintest sign of vitality in M .Valdemar; and concluding him to_be dead, we were consigning him to_the charge of_the nurses, when a strong vibratory motion was observable in_the tongue . this continued for perhaps a minute . at_the expiration of_this period, there issued from_the distended and motionless jaws a voice -- such as it would_be madness in me to attempt describing . there_are, indeed, two_or_three epithets which might_be considered as applicable to_it in_part; I_might say, for example, that_the sound was harsh, and broken and hollow; but the hideous whole is indescribable, for_the simple reason that no similar sounds have ever jarred upon_the ear of humanity . there were two particulars, nevertheless, which i_thought then, and still think, might fairly be stated as characteristic of_the intonation -- as_well adapted to convey some idea of_its unearthly peculiarity . in_the first place, the voice seemed to reach our ears -- at_least mine -- from a vast distance, or from some deep cavern within_the earth . in_the second place, it impressed me ( I_fear, indeed, that_it_will_be impossible to_make myself comprehended) as gelatinous or glutinous matters impress the sense of touch .

I_have spoken both of " sound" and of " voice ." I mean to_say that_the sound was one of distinct -- of even wonderfully, thrillingly distinct -- syllabification .M .Valdemar spoke -- obviously in reply to_the question I had propounded to him a few_minutes before .I had asked him, it_will_be remembered, if he still slept . he now said:

" yes; -- no; -- I_have_been sleeping -- and now -- now -- I_am dead .

no person present even affected to deny, or attempted to repress, the unutterable, shuddering horror which these few words, thus uttered, were so_well calculated to convey .Mr L -- l ( the student) swooned . the nurses immediately left the chamber, and could_not_be induced to return . my own impressions i_would_not pretend to render intelligible to_the reader . for nearly an hour, we busied ourselves, silently -- without the utterance of a word -- in endeavors to revive Mr L -- l . when he_came to himself, we addressed ourselves again to an investigation of M .Valdemar's condition .

it remained in all respects as I_have last described it, with_the exception that_the mirror no longer afforded evidence of respiration . an attempt to draw blood from_the arm failed . i_should mention, too, that_this limb 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 .

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 .