Laziest man on Earth:A man who went to bed in 1877 and did not leave it until a fortnight ago is claimed to have established a world record. The man was a boy of 11 when he went to bed, and his mother looked after him. He would have remained in bed for the rest of his life had not his mother, a fortnight ago, been taken ill and removed to the Infirmary. Left alone he was compelled to get up. He searched for the suit, which he discarded 29 years ago, but the job of squeezing him into it occupied two neighbours a whole evening. When dressed he was too tired to walk, and an ambulance conveyed him to the workhouse. He stayed there 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 story came out on Thursday night, when the relieving officer applied to the guardians for relief for the woman, who has only occasional help from some more energetic sons that emigrated to Australia. The recital of the story convulsed the guardians. Inquiry showed that numerous medical men have tried their hands at stimulating the man out of his chronic lethargy. Irritating plasters and mild electric currents left his severe calm unruffled. He has remained in bed since his return home.
Taken from Manchester Evening News - Rewind the century - Weekend Go section - 17 Feb 2007
