A PECULIAR CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2123, 24 February 1908, Page 2

A PECULIAR CASE.

SHIP’S STEW AH D IN A THANCE. SLEEPS FOR THREE DAYS. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 23. A case that excited considerable interest in 'Lyttelton yesterday and Friday was that of Frederick Baker, . a saloon steward on .the B.M.S. Ruapehu, of the New Zealand Shipping Co.’s line. Baker turned in as usual at Wellington on Wednesday night, but he did not wake up the following morning, and all efforts to rouse him were of no avail, although .they were kept up nt intervals all day on Thursday. The Ruapehu left Wellington that afternoon for Lyttelton, and arrived yesterday morning, but still no .amount of shaking could rouse the mail from his trance-like sleep. His pulse was quite regular, his heart normal, and his breathing was perfectly natural, and only twice during his slumber did the mail show any signs of activity. The first occasion was on Thursday evening, when lie left his bunk, and went up on deck as if to stretch his legs. He seemed to be in a dreamy state, but was perfectly unconscious. He was conducted back to his bunk, but later on it seemed to those watching him as if he were 'having an unpleasant dream, for he commenced to throw the pillows and bedclothes about. After the vessel was berthed at Lyttelton yesterday, Dr. Upliam, port health officer at Lyttelton, was sent for to examine Baker, and try to rouse him from his extraordinary sleep. Dr. Uph.un informed a reporter that 'he made all the tests lie could think of to discover the cause of the man’s long sleep, but without avail. He was tested for cerebral hemorrhage, Jor cerebral embolism, diabetes, Bright’s disease, epilepsy, apoplexy, for fractured skull, and for paralysis, but lie responded to none of these. In these circumstances Dr. Upliam decided the best courso to pursue would he to send the man to the Christchurch Hospital for treatment, and this was accordingly done, the sufferer being admitted about 4 o’clock. He was given a hot hath and put to bed, and at 5.30 lie woke up and regained consciousness. Baker stated that he remembered nothing after retiring to his bunk on Wednesday evening. Ho had been playing" cards and experienced a severe headache, but no other symp L toms. Baker will remain in .the hospital until midday lor medical attention.