Charles Osborne (hiccups)

Charles Osborne
Born	December 14, 1893(1893-12-14) Anthon, Iowa
Died	May 1, 1991(1991-05-01) (aged 97) Sioux City, Iowa

Charles Osborne (December 14, 1893 – May 1, 1991) hiccupped continuously for 68 years (1923–1991). Osborne was from Anthon, Iowa, U.S., and he was entered in Guinness World Records^{[citation needed]} as the man with the Longest Attack of Hiccups. The hiccups started in 1923 and persisted for a total of 68 years. His condition also led him to be a guest on the New York radio show Ripley's Believe It or Not!^{[citation needed]} in 1936, ABC's That's Incredible!^{[citation needed]} in 1980, and The Tonight Show^{[citation needed]} with Johnny Carson in 1983. He appeared in an article by Dear Abby^{[citation needed]}, was drawn as a comic for a Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrapper, is listed as a trivia question on the iPod Touch and was featured as a question in the board game Trivial Pursuit.^{[citation needed]}

Osborne began hiccuping in 1922, after a 300-pound hog collapsed on top of him while he was preparing to slaughter it. The hiccups persisted for 68 years, about one hic every 10 seconds. It is speculated that either an abdomen muscle was pulled or a blood vessel in the brain popped which controlled the muscle. Operations were attempted to stop the hiccups, but proved unsuccessful.

Despite his condition, Osborne was able to lead a normal life, marrying twice and having eight children.^{[citation needed]} He was, however, unable to keep in his false teeth.

Osborne died of complications from ulcers at Marian Health Center in Sioux City, Iowa on May 1, 1991.^{[citation needed]}

References

• Survivor of 68-Year Hiccup Spell Dies.. Omaha World - Herald, 5 May 1991, Sunrise Edition: 2.B.