LAZIEST MAN ON EARTH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 6 April 1907, Page 4

LAZIEST MAN ON EARTH.

IRISHMAN WHO HAS HEEN IX UED 2!) 'YEARS. TOO STRONG TO WORK. London. February 15. An irishman named Thompson, who lives with his mother at Clare, Lurgan, can justly claim to be the laziest man on earth, lie went to bed in i€ 77, never leaving it lill a fortnight ago, and then only by compulsion. Thompson wab a boy of eleven when he abandoned all other wordly pleasures for a life of comfortable case in bed. He was looked after by his mother, and very few of the villagers of Clare were even aware of his existence.

There is every reason to believe that Thompson would have remained in bed until the end of his life had not a crisis occurred in his domestic affairs n fortnight ago. Mrs Thompson was at the time taken ill and had to be removed to the infirmary. Lett helplessly alone Thompson was compelled lo got up. A search was Iwgun for some of the clothes which he discarded twenty-nine years ago, but he was unable to dress without Bsistance. OUTGREW HIS CLOTH Iffi. Two ne'glibors were called in, and the work of squeezing h'm into the outgrown suit occupied a whole evening. When dressed he was too tired to walk, and an ambulance had to be brought to convey him to the union. Thompson reposed at the workhouse until his mother was well enough to leave the infirmary, when he followed her home. He was compelled to walk this time, as the guardians refused an ambulance. The facts of this extraordinary case came out on Thursday night, when the relieving officer applied to the guardians for relief for Mrs Thompson, who has only occasional help from some more energetic sons who emigrated to Australia. She was allowed cightpence a week. Tho recital of the story convulsed the guardians. Inquiries show thai numerous medical men have tried their hands at stimulating Thompson out of h .= chronic lethargy. Irritating plasters were applied, but they had no power to irritate him. Mild electric currents left him muullled, and finally, in despair, the doctors left him to enjoy the serene calm they were unable to disturb. Thompson is quite healthy, and suffers only from chronic laziness. He has remained ii(l>«l since his return home.