SHOCKED INTO SLEEP.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 258, 30 October 1926, Page 42

SHOCKED INTO SLEEP.

LAW CASS THBEAT SEQUEL. Shocked by the Intimation that be would nt prosecuted (or irregularities ln bis accounts, a youth of 18 fell asleep nine months ago. in spite of all attempts to waken him he Is still asleep. In December of last year alleged falsifications of accounts by Georges Beck, of Welmbonrg, pear Strasbourg, were discovered, and he was summarily dismissed by. his employers, who informed him that prosecution would follow. Be retired to a barn near bis- home, and was discovered there by the police, who came to arrest him but could hot awaken him, Violent shaking, pinching, and other stringent measures had no effect. Beck slept on. sad: for some days the police watched him carefully, Intending to effect hjs arrest. as soon as he, awoke. For a week or more they suspected him of "foxing" with a view to escape, but as he slept on day. and. night this view was changed and doctors were called ln. After careful examination of the slseper the doctors pro-Bounced-his slumber quite genuine They used ever*, possible method hi attempting to awaken him, but all expedients failed. • For nine months now both doctors and police have carefully watched the sleeper. a youth of 18, and they have come to the conclusion that there Is no trickery about It—he Is Id a deep, natural sleep. . Beck is fed with liquids at regular Intervals, the food having to be poured carefully Into his month after his Jaws have been prized apart. He is also washed, but he sleeps en. He Is, naturally, rather attenuated after hia long sleep, but apart from this his health seems good. Both the medical men and the police are anxiously awaiting his awakening, of which, however, there. Is apparently no sign at present.