this post was submitted on 28 Mar 2025
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Today I Learned (TIL)

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submitted 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) by ooli2@lemm.ee to c/til@lemmy.ca
 

Between 1915 and 1926, Encephalitis Lethargica, or sleeping sickness, swept the world. It left people frozen—awake but unable to move or speak. Half a million died or became trapped in their bodies. Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, it vanished without explanation.

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[–] Zerlyna@lemmy.world 9 points 3 months ago

Awakenings was an awesome movie about this!!! I was in high school then and I still remember it.

[–] Linktank@lemmy.today 9 points 3 months ago

I mean, it probably had a hard time spreading.

[–] Wizard_Pope@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago

Explanation. I ate the disease. No more left for the rest of you.

[–] rikudou@lemmings.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

Ah, so that was the inspiration for Sandman being captured in 1916.