During the second phase, sedation, stupor, and even semi-coma develop. The individual sleeps, or appears to sleep, and responds only to direct and sometimes only to strong, stimulation. Spontaneous groping or crawling may alternate with lying quietly. The subject mutters incoherently from time to time. Sometimes he shows "obstinate progression" as he stubbornly tries to crawl in a straight line over, past and through all obstacles. As this primitive behavior (reminiscent of the "running response" in decorticate animals) subsides, the subject enters a third phase, beginning at during 12 hours, during which more spectacular symptoms develop.
"Hallucinations seem to dominate the field of awareness, and real objects and persons are generally ignored or ludicrously misrepresented. Touch seems to become the most important sensory system, and the hands are ceaselessly active, exploring clothing, bedding, walls, floors and crevices of the environment. Smoking and drinking of phantom cigarettes and beverages are very common. "
As speech returns over the next few hours, it is in clipped, flat accents, containing rapid bursts of commonly associated words and phrases, particularly those that are most colloquial and habitual. Logical continuity is lacking and most sentences are meaningless or absurd. Hallucinations seem to dominate the field of awareness, and real objects and persons are generally ignored or ludicrously misrepresented. Touch seems to become the most important sensory system, and the hands are ceaselessly active, exploring clothing, bedding, walls, floors and crevices of the environment.