Cheryl (boomerbooklover) - reviewed on 3/30/2018 + 441 more book reviews

Fascinating account of epidemic of sleeping sickness/form of encephalitis that occurred around the same time as 1918 flu. Exact cause unknown; no cure. Thousands of people had sore throats or fevers, fell asleep, and slept for days or weeks or longer. About 1/3 never woke up/died. Another 1/3 got well/long recovery and lead fairly normal lives. Others needed lifelong care, were institutionalized, mainly in mental institutions, as there was no other place for them. Dr. who 'found' some decades later and his story became book/movie 'Awakenings'. Very sad; terrifying that there is no prevention/cure, and very little known about this disease to this day.

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