A REMARKABLE CASE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2815, 26 February 1908, Page 70

A REMARKABLE CASE.

TRANCE-LIKE SLEEP. j UNCONSCIOUS FOR THREE DAYS. CHRISTCHURCH, February 23. ' A case that excited considerable interest in Lyttelton on Friday and yesterday was that of Frederick ' Baker, a saloon steward on the R.M.S. Ruapehu, of the New Zealand Shipping Company's line. Mr Baker turned in as usual at Wellington on Wednesday night, but he didnot wake up the following morning, and all efforts to rouse him were of no avail, although they were kept up wb intervals all day on Thursday. ' v The Ruapehu left Wellington that afternoon for Lyttelton, and arrived yesterday morning, but still no amount of 'shaking could rouse the man from his trance-like sleep. His pulse was quite regular, his heart normal, and his breathing was perfectly natural. Only twice during slumber did the man show any sign of activity. The first occasion was on Thursday ' evening, when he left his bunk _ and went up on deck' as if to str-etch his legs. He seemed to be in a dreamy state, but was perfectly conscious. He was conducted back to hi 3 bunk, but later on it 'seemed to those watching him as if ho were having an unpleasant dream, for he commenced [ to throw the pillows and bedclothes about. After the vessel was berthed at Lyttelton yesterday, Dr Upham (port health officer) ■was sent for to -examine Baker and to try , to rouse him from* his extraordinary sleep. Dr Upham informed a reporter that he made all the" tests he could/ think of to i discover the cause of the man's long sleep, but without avail. The man was tested I for cerebral hemorrhage, for cerebral em- v [ bolism, diabetes, " Bright's disease, epilepsy^ apoplexy, for fractured skull, and for paralysis, but he responded to none of these. In these circumstances Dr Upham deoided that the best course to pursue would be 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 bath and put to bed, and at 5.30 he woke up and regained consciousness. Mr Baker stated that he remembered nothing after retiring to his bunk on Wednesday evening. He had been playing cards and experienced a severe headache, but no other symptoms. Mr Baker wili remain in the hospital until Monday for ' medical attention.