The Sleeping Sickness That Turned People Into Human Statues
About this episode
The episode explores the effects and history of encephalitis lethargica during the Spanish flu pandemic.
While the Spanish flu was tearing across the globe, another epidemic began stealing people’s bodies from them. Encephalitis lethargica aka “sleepy sickness” - could make victims sleep almost continuously. It could also cause insomnia, hallucinations, involuntary movements, dramatic personality changes, paralysis, and death. Those who survived sometimes became living statues, unable to initiate even the smallest movement as life continued around them. Chris and Ed trace this forgotten plague from World War I Europe to the institutions where survivors remained trapped for decades. SHOW NOTES Originally aired on Patreon: 09/25/25 https://satt.short.gy/nfu16 Originally aired on Patreon: 09/18/25 Want even more out of SATT? Now you can SUPPORT THE SHOW and get NEW SATT content EVERY WEEK for as little as 5 BONES — which includes our bonus video show New Fear Unlocked — by joining CLUB SATT: www.patreon.com/scaredallthetime Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/scared-all-the-time--7084296/support . Get the latest episodes of our bonus show NEW FEAR UNLOCKED -- and a whole lot more! -- by supporting the show on Patreon…
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