Can Man Go Without Sleep For 20 Years?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 872, 16 January 1930, Page 8

Can Man Go Without Sleep For 20 Years?

‘ Highly Inip/vbablc ” Say Auckland Medical Men CRITICISM OF CABLED CASES Is it possible for a man to live for 15 or JO years without sleep? Auckland medical men are somewhat scej, tical of a possibility of such a teat. Earlier in the week a cable was received from Vienna, giving particulars of the astonishing case of Paul Korn, a Hungarian Government official, who, it was stated, had not slept, nor even closed his eyes, since he was wounded by a Russian bullet on the Eastern front in 1915. Despite the efforts of the best brain ai d nerve specialists in Budapest, it had been impossible to trace any abnormality in Kern by the use of Xrays, and a noted university professor, Dr. Frey, had admitted that he was baffled. The account of the Hungarian case was followed by a cable from London citing the case of Mr. E. T. Maher, of Heaton, Newcastle, who. it was alleged, had not slept for 20 years. He had served in the York Regiment during the war. He had undergone many operations, but the doctors were baffled, saving that they could neither explain nor cure his affliction. The Sun approached a number of Auckland medical men to ask if such cases had ever come under their notice. With few exceptions they considered it a physiological impossibilitv, and were inclined to doubt the truth of the cables. Their opinions are given below: Dr. Kenneth Gordon.—A most unusual case. There are many cases on record of people going long periods without sleep, but the two quoted are unprecedented to my knowledge. A Physician. —Afraid I don’t knowmuch about it. It doesnt seem credible. Dr. W. H. Horton. —I’ve never heard of such a thing in my experience. It seems highly improbable, and I don’t see how the men could live without sleep. m Dr. W. M. McCormick. —A most unheard of and unlikely thing. lam afraid it is beyond my knowledge. Dr. J. P. Hastings. —It seems tci me that it is a physiological impossibility. lam inclined to believe that they have been getting a lot of sleep on "the quiet, or else the stories ara untrue. A Physician.—Yes, I think it just barely possible, though I have no personal knowledge of such cases. If true, it is a remarkable thing. Dr. Hilda Northcrbft.—l think it is possible, but highly improbable. A great number of people can do with very little sleep. The Austrian case seems to be well authenticated. Dr. Woodward Horsley.—l can’t say anything about it. I have never before heard of such cases. The balance of the medical profession who were approached, declined t.o comment one way or the other and appeared to treat the cables as something of a joke.