Between 1915 and 1926, a strange illness called Encephalitis Lethargica, or “sleeping sickness,” spread across the world. It began with flu-like symptoms but soon left many victims frozen—awake, but unable to move or speak. Some stayed in this state for months or years, while others died. The disease affected hundreds of thousands, mostly young adults. Doctors couldn’t explain its cause or how to treat it. Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the illness disappeared. To this day, no one knows

Encephalitis lethargica is an atypical form of encephalitis. Also known as "von Economo Encephalitis", "sleeping sickness" or "sleepy sickness", it was first described in 1917 by neurologist Constantin von Economo and pathologist Jean-René Cruchet. | Morbid Curiosity