He refuses to eat, a symptom very common in catatonia, but it is indeed a rare occurrence for a catatonic in the midst of a negativistic stupor and mutism to say, "I'll drink it," and actually drink voluntarily the entire contents of the pitcher in order to avoid tube-feeding.
"Studies in Forensic Psychiatry"
Bernard Glueck
Could the machine reach into that subconscious, probe past the lock and seal of catatonia, and stimulate Dulaq's mind into repeating the duel?
"The Dueling Machine"
Benjamin William Bova Myron R. Lewis
Insanity and catatonia would come long before death.
"The Penal Cluster"
Ivar Jorgensen (AKA Randall Garrett)