FIFTEEN YEARS AWAKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20508, 8 March 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

FIFTEEN YEARS AWAKE.

MAN WHO «NEVER SLEEPS.

HEAD CRUSHED BY BULLET.

THE STORY OF PAUL KERN.

The remarkable story of Paul Kern, the Hungarian Government official who declares he has not been able to sleep since a Russian bullet crushed his head in 1915 is told by a correspondent of the Sunday Express.

He writes: Fifteen years without sleep 1 That is the amazing record of this shockheaded, red-faced, tubby little man, who woke up in a military hospital in 1915 and has never closed his eyes in slumber since thon. How does Paul Kern spend his day-nights and night-days ? For twenty-four hours I remained in his company to soek a solution of the mystery. I arrived in Budapest at 6.30 a.m., and an hour later found Kern in the Ministry of Pensions, where he had just arrived after leaving his aged mother, with whom ho lives in his bachelor home. My first impression was of a man unutterably tired with small eyes deeply set in a very full, if not saJ, face, under a crop of thick, stubbly iron-grey hair. At 2 p.m. wo adjourned to a coffeehouse, where I suggested lunch. "I never take lunch," replied the sleepless man, "and have not for years. You see, I, unlike, you, must be kept going for twenty-four hours. That means mores food and more money than I can afford. At'tor 'breakfast I havo nothing until 6 p.m. Then, at 11 p.m. 1 have an egg. I keep to this regime as I dislike accepting, hospitality. -Most of rny, money seems to go on tips and cloakroom fees." Doctors Unable To Help. Kern said the doctors were unable to help him. Dr. Frey, of the university, had spent time and trouble in X-raying him,, but was unable to find what was wrong. " Once I was 1 old that unless I slept 1 ivould die," said' Kern. "A specialist gave me the strongest sleeping draught in existence and guaranteed that it would induce sleep in. a. few seconds. " I took one dose before midnight, waited patiently and wakefully till 4 a.m. when I took a second dose. Neither had tho desired effect. I gave up and rose. I had a headache and did not repeat the 1 experiment. Headaches are rather a trouble at times, and spoil my cinema and sporting recreations. I find "a tepid bath, and a short rest the best cure." During the conversation T noticed that an incredible number of people greeted 1 Kern not only in tho coffee-house but from the street. As we sat at a window it seemed that.every other passer-by took off his hat or smiled. When we left the cafe the attention becam- embarrassing. Kern wears out twice as manv suits and boots as the average person. He told me he wanted to do night work, but found his bead would not stand the strain. He reserves the nights for walking and talking. An Excellent Memory. At 8 p.m. we went to a restaurant famous for its Hungarian gipsy orchestra, and filled .with good-looking officers and beautiful women. Kern ordered Tokay, but drank water. " I prefer it," he said. " I have no need to drink alcohol to enjoy night life." Kern's memory is wonderful. He recognised a school friend whom he had not seen for forty years. "I am happier without sleep than with it," he said at 6 a.m., when we left the haunting strains of gipsy- music, smoke, and laughter for the cool air of deserted streets. " Sleep is such a waste of time. Dreams' are pleasant, I admit, but I can daydream when I rest my eyes." " I do not want to sleep acain. I have nq desi.ro to bo cured. Life is full. of. irtteVestsr atid 'pleasure's.'"* " T "am" "never" bored. The . passing hours .do not terrify, me. I have my work and my friendships. Fato taught me the secret of self-mastery arid more real rchilosopliy than all the books in the world." .