A Strange Beginning
In 1922, Charles Osborne started hiccupping after a farm accident involving a 350-pound hog. Doctors believed he had burst a tiny blood vessel in his brain, triggering continuous hiccups.
Decades of Struggle
Osborne’s hiccups, around 20–40 per minute, persisted for 68 years. He tried various treatments, but none offered a cure. Doctors taught him a breathing technique to reduce the hiccup sound, and he adapted to life with the condition.
Public Attention and Fame
Listed in Guinness World Records for the longest hiccup episode, Osborne gained national attention, appearing on “The Tonight Show” and other shows. Viewers sent remedies, but his condition remained unchanged.
A Normal Life
Despite his struggle, Osborne led a full life, marrying twice and having eight children. Remarkably, his hiccups stopped suddenly in 1990, a year before he passed away.
In 1922, Charles Osborne started hiccupping after a farm accident involving a 350-pound hog. Doctors believed he had burst a tiny blood vessel in his brain, triggering continuous hiccups. pic.twitter.com/qQ2ME3Yb9i
— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) November 8, 2024