The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-07-31 00:00:00

gr,IPPOSED ALPINE ACCIDENT.

_:Writing from Cienevai pp July 27, the Correspondent of
whe Times Asp
Nothino•b has yet been hewid cf Dr, I-141ler and
Ihe guides, of whose disappearance in thd neigh-
.394pbood of the Wetterhorn I have already
01410 yp,u, and not the slightest hope is now
Pltpt4ineti q i,licylr being found alive. Dr. Haller,
fl • igiflY-Fgepect,ed iotticpin of Burgdorf, left Grin-
elwald on' ,Jr 1.4 for tIG Ilqr4'h Tlut, accompa-
nied by the guides, Teter Itubi a4a pot:, With, but
not by his friend, Herr Gehmeitt, as was A firet
BuPposed. The next day they ascended the Jung-
'eu, and spent the night at the Eggischhorn Hotel.
'NI fgll2wing night was passed at the Concordia Hut,
and on Esitardair they reached the Grimsel by the
Oberarrjoch, whence Dr. i-wler pot a, telegram to his
, On Sunday, the 18th, they startep frorp the
't
tT'1111!iel or i,ligbauteraarjoch for the Glecketein, where
,ey inte;l4o 0 pa pment at the opening of a new
ellth hut. Of 'What llefgr tbßil. 4f4pc,ids nothing is
ljnown. Until Tuesday evening no qco:dhangion was
fgtt yi; to their safety, but when AV'edneilaay nic4,4-
16,P441, @ a.pd they did not return four guides were
r" IP?n P-Fhpl@lwald to look for them. They
••13,11nd• traceo pi 40R,mlbes, but none of the
tare° men. voui ilapre guidee were sent out
on Friday, but their quest, too, wad uneuceegs-
-41- Nor, so far as is known, have any of the
bodiei been recovered. It is doubtful if they ever
v.:, ill be, for, owing to the prevalence of south winds
„tiring the present summer, the snow is soft and
--ligermis- Avalanches are consequently frequent,
ncl since the party left the Grimsel there have been
fgavY wind and snowstorms in the mountains. Dr.
:191;aller was a married man, vAth a fitraily. Rubi'and
''°th, excellent guides both of them, have also left
Young. families, on whose behalf subscriptions are re-
CeiVed by the Neu ZUricher Zeitung.

DR. TANNER'S FAST.

The chief American sensation just now is Dr. Tanner's
fast in New York. The following particulars are given res-
pecting it :
- - - - -

. -
Dr. Tanner is fasting in the Clarendon Hall, New
York. The entrance is in Thirteenth-street, a few
stone steps leading the visitor to the level of the second
floor. Thence by a passage way under the southern
gallery the main floor is reached. Tanner's cot is close
by an open window, and is almost on a level with the
sill, and he sleeps most all the time with his head and
arms on the sill, apparently with a view of getting
fresh air. The floor above the faster's fort is occupied
by the United States College of Physicians, as is the
floor beneath it, as dissecting rooms and other pur-
poses of the college. The gentlemen who are the
medical watchers are graduates of this special school
of medicine.

The New York Times of the 15th gives particulars
respecting Dr. Tanner's fast, from which we take the
following
His condition yesterday has increased the amazement with
which the physicians regard him, and they are more puzzled
than ever. Arrangements for reviving him on the slightest
possible indication of collapse were made several days ago,
and all the necessary materials, including an electric battery
to stimulate his nervous system, are at hand to be used at
a moment's notice. On Tuesday his pulse was very high,
and it was noticed that he staggered when he began
to walk in the main hall. Professor IVark and
Dr. Reilly, who were watching him, became seri-
ously alarmed, and held a hurried consultation, the
result of which was that they concluded that the end
was at hand, and that the man would begin to sink
within four hours. He began to drink water, however,
and the effect was almost instantaneous. Then he took his
ride in Central Park, and though terribly exhausted when he
returned, he recovered after a short rest, and was apparently
a new man again. During the night he slept more soundly,
and for longer periods, than at any time during the past
week, and the good effect of his rest was noticeable when he
rose yesterday morning. He awoke at 5.40, and the drowsy
look which characterised him on Tuesday seemed to have
entirely disappeared. His face was somewhat flushed, but
its hue was more healthy than on the previous day. He
said that he had rested well, talked in a strong, clear
voice, and was very cheerful. The loss of the drowsy,
dull look of the eyes is attributed by Dr. Pierce, one
of the "regulars," to the fact that the water which
he had drunk had operated on his blood, which
had become thick and sluggish during his abstinence from
water, but was now beginning to circulate freely again.
"Had he continued to refuse water," said the doctor, "the
blood could not have ocygenated, and he would certainly
have failed. He would not have got along much longer
without water. When the watery portion of the blood is
deficient it becomes impeded in its action and cannot carry
nourishment to the system. Then the man dies. He drank
twelve ounces of water yesterday, and about twenty ounces
to-day, and now that he has adopted this diet it would not
surprise me very much if he lasted for four weeks from the
beginning of his fast."

Dr. Tanner was very weak when he awoke, and asked for
help in dressing. He got his pantaloons and stockings on,
and then sank baok on his cot exhausted. He remained lying
on his badk for about ten minutes, called for water, of which
he drank three ounces, and then rose and completed his
toilet. After hearing the moming papers read, his strength
seemed to return to him, and at nine o'clock the watchers
announced that he was stronger, mentally and physically,
than he had been on Tuesday. The colour had left his face,
however, and it was quite palid. This is not looked upon
as a particularly bad sign, because it is the natural result of
abstinence from food for a comparatively short time.

Photographs taken before he began fasting, and on the
fifteenth day of his experiment, are now exhibited .at the
hall, and the wonderful change in his looks can be better
appreciated by examining them than by watching the
gradual emaciation day by day. One picture is that of a
hearty, full-faced man, with the flush of health; the other is
of a cadaverous face, which looks as though it had just
issued from the tomb. A large and beautiful pillow of
fragrant flowers and a pair of Indian clubs and eight-pound
dumb-bells, were among the presents received during the
day, and Dr. Tanner went through some very, very gentle
exercise with the clubs, insisting that it would benefit him,
although his watchers thought differently. He walked
but little during the day, and drank water or sucked
ice frequently, apparently improving in condition every
hour. At 6.15, in company with Drs. Miller and Danielson,
he took another ride to Central Park. He entered the
carriage without seeming to use any very strong effort, and
sat erect during the entire ride. At One Hundred and Fifth-
street he drank two ounces of water taken from a natural
spring, and on the return stopped at the Brunswick and took
some ice. While driving through the park he said: "I feel
now as if I could talk a little," but he subsided, and volun-
teered no other remarks during the entire ride. The party
returned to the hall at eight o'clock. Dr. Tanner walked
easily up the stairs to Isis cot in the south balcony, where he
lay down for about ten minutes. Then he called for water,
drank three ounces, and went down stairs to the main hall,
where lie entered into a quiet talk with one of his visitors.
At noon to-day he will complete the seventeenth day of his
fast.

The New York Times of the 17th inst. states that on the
previous day Dr. Tanner talked with a great many persons.
and cracked some Minnesota jokes. "lie drank a large
quantity of ice-water, some of it spring water from Central
Park, and spent four hours and a half in the open air, in a
carriage. While out driving he talked and laughed as much
as any of the party, and seemed just as strong as anybody.
"There is always a lively time in Clarendon Hall when
the morning mail arrives. So many queer people have
taken to writing to Dr. Tanner that the mail carrier always
brings in a bundle of letters and newspaper clippings. Yes-
terday morning's mail was an unusually large one. This is
almost the only life there is at the scene of the long fast, ex-
cept when some musicians drop in and play the piano and sing.
The faster spent more time in the main hall yesterday than
usual, and took delight in looking at his table, covered with
.bouquets. The place enclosed by the railing is becoming
something of a curiosity shop. There are Indian Clubs
scattered about, and dumb-bells, and patent mattresses, and
flowers, and sonic books. The faster does not trouble him-
self with any of these things except 'the flowers, but spends
most of his time looking at either the flowers or the people
or in sleep.
"A few minutes after midnight Dr. Tanner was sleeping
soundly. He awoke at 12.15, asked for water, drank four
ounces, and then undressed and went to bed. At one o'clock,
after a sound sleep of forty-five minutes, he again awoke and
asked to have the rubber blanket put over him. To a re-
porter who was sitting near, he said lie intended to give the
papers something to talk about yet awhile. He then went to
sleep again, and slept for half an hour longer. Something
fell down in the hall with a crash and awoke him at 3.5,
and he took his customary draught of four ounces
of ice-water. He talked freely with his watchers,
and, with one or two interruptions, slept till five o'clock,
when the physicians awoke him, as it was time to take his
ride in the Park. His clothes were carefully searched, and
he dressed himself and took another draught of water. He
left the hall for the Park at 5.8, and drove up to One Hun-
dred and Fifth-street and Fifth-avenue, where a demijohn
of well water was procured, the faster drinking four
ounces of it on the spot. He returned to the hall at
7.35, after a drive of two and one-half-hours. In this
extra half-hour he made up for the half-hour of hack-
hire that was lost on the previous day. He was in
good humour after his ride, and somewhat talkative.
Ile retired to his cot at 7.60, and asked to have the morning
newspapers read to him. He slept from that time until
nine, when the morning mail arrived, containing the usual
variety of letters and newspapers. Some of the letters were
read to the 'later, much to his amusement. His pulse, at
9.20, registered 82, his respiration 16, and his temperature
98 2-5 deg. His tongue was moist, but slightly coated. After
the examination the doctor went quietly to sleep again. At
ten o'clock he was lying on his cot, in the south gallery, look-
ing unusually well. Fifteen minutes afterwards he was en-
gaged in a conversation with a clergyman on the principles
of Christianity. He soon afterwards had a talk with his
physicians on the subject of the fast. At 10.50 he went down
into the body of the hall, and walked seven times around
the little enclosure, slowly, but steadily. At 11.0 he went
inside the railing, and was weighed in presence of all the
watchers. With his thick broadcloth coat on he weighed
139 pounds; with his light coat, 1361- pounds, a gain of one
pound in the preceding 24 hours.

"Immediately after being weighed Dr. Tanner held a long
conversation with three of his lady visitors, advising them
to live on two meals a day; and telling them they would
find this much better for their health, both of body and mind.
He then slept for pearly an hour, and was awakened at
noon by a quartet, who sang several lively songs and re-
ceived the doctor's applause, with an invitation to call
again. This was the end ofj his eighteenth day of fast-
nig and the beginning of his nineteenth. Ile ushered
in the nineteenth by drinking four ounces of water and
going up to the south gallery again to his favourite
cot. At 12.35 his pulse was 76, his temperature 98 1- &deg.
and his respiration 17. His eyes were brignt, his perspiration
normal, and his general condition according to the physi-
cians, ' surprising,'
; newspaper and o'clock r
wrote
an receivedansw
ea
r.
A despatchfew
from a Chicagoy
minutes later a lady presented him with a music-box, and
he soon afterwards fell asleep. At 3.0 o'clock he was given
four and-a-half ounces of ice-water, and then he at up on
the edge of his cot and talked with the doctors. A few
visitors were introduced to him soon afterwards, and he
r ands
ev
et
rhaeln
sshaotr
to nnhaipss
ho te
iaidt i nogn.
tAritl ehda
lf easilyp ast fi, tvhe haefntie,
his coat, hat, and shoes, and took a light drink of
water. He then walked
n•molY dawn to the main hall,
and took some exercise by walking around the room several
times. He then took another drink of water, and sat down
on one side of the room, remaining there for about twenty
minutes, resting his he
iad on his hands. At six o'clock he
got up and walked to his cot n the middle of the room and
lay down. At 6.30 the carriage arrived, and he started for
another drive in the Park. This time lie kept the hack-man
out the full time bargained for, going through the Park and
into the Riverside Drive find the Boulevard."

4 tel9sTani to the Daily News, dated July 25, says
No marked change has occurred in Dr. Tanner's
condition since Friday.
At 9 p.m. on Saturday his temperature was 98 3-5,
ulse 74, weight 130 lb. He lost a pound in weight.
On Saturday he substituted hot water for cold to
quiet the nausea. To-day he drank cold water again.
lie was heavy and drowsy to-day, seeing no visitors
and sleeping all he could,
He has lost since the beginning of his fast twenty-
seven pounds.

NEW YORK, July 25.
Dr. Tanner was better yesterday evening. His
weight was then 13011b5., temperature 98, and
pulse 74,

The Correspondent of the Standard telegraphs
NEW YORK, Sunday.
After his drive yesterday morning there was some
colour in his cheeks, but his face looked pinched and
his eyes were heavy. He felt a terrible heat in the
f deter
mined and was very thirsty. He still felt
nausea,
and complained o a burning sensation. Heeter
mined to drink very little water, as he attributed his
previous day's sickness to over indulgence.
His thirst, however, was so intense that he was
forced to try to drink some water, he could not do se,
and lie seemed to realise for the first time that water
had lost its helpful power.
The watcher advised Dr. Tanner to drink some
water as hot as he could take it without scalding his
mouth. He drank two large draughts with a bene-
ficial effect. He has therefore determined to drink
only hot water in future.
ne felt better after this, and had a prolonged nap.
iTs Pis@ Was seventy-six, and his temperature ninety-
eight and three-fifths. His pulse tracings were weak,
but slightly more regular than during the previous
day.
For the greater part of the day be lay on his back,
with his eyes closed and quietly dozing. He was un-
willing to see visitors. is pulse was seventy-four
last eveulog, Oen he weighed one hundred and thirty
rundS and a half, being a loss of one pound. This
attributed to not drinking any water.
During his evening drive he talked but little, and
rPtnyuecl much exhausted and very irritable. A troop
of ytsitore ffillowed him upstairs, and crowded around
him. 'Dr. Tanner thereupon lost his temper, and told
them they Were the greatest fools ever made. His
temperature when he retired was ninety-eight and
three-fifths deg.
O
The physiplans in attendance are still divided in
opinion.. ne
thgnyht the Doctor would hold out,
the others considered him to be failing rapidly, One
side judged from chemical analyses that the waste of
poisonous matter in the system was steadily decreasing,
and must be accumulating in the body. This, they
argued, would lead to blood poisoning.
, - Apart from Medical theories, Dr. Tanner is per-
ceptibly weaker. His extreme exhaustion is attested
b), his fitful drowsiness. He sleeps or doses from
sixteen to eighteen hours per day. He is taciturn,

gloomy, dispirited, peevish, savage, or disputatirus by
turns. Sometimes his face hf,s the peculiar tint of
apopletic coma.

Under date, New York, Monday, the Standard
publishes a telegram, which says :

During the twenty-four hours ending last night Dr. Tanner
drank five ounces of water. He lost three quarters of a
pound in weight.
The hot-water regimen is not continued, the patient
having recovered from the attack of nausea and biliousness.

He passed a quiet day, visitors not being admitted. He
had slept sixteen hours, and seemed decidedly better. His
pulse was seventy-two, his temperature ninety-eight and
eight-tenths, his respiration sixteen. The muscular pres-
sure was normal. The tracings of the sphygmograph were
stronger, but more irregular.

Crowds of visitors have annoyed Dr. Tanner since the
beginning of his fast, swarming about him, and subjecting
him both in mind and body to an excessive strain. Dr.
Tanner maintains that the experiment is made purely in the
interests of science, and states that the admission fee
(twenty-five cents) is charged partly to defray necessary ex-
penses, but mainly to keep people out. Dr. Tanner's
medical attendants share the apprehension that his system
will never recover from the terrific strain. They agree that
if he survives the fortieth day the utmost precautions wilt
be required to prevent fatal gastric disturbance when he
begins again to eat. Dr. Tanner laughs at them, and says
that no special rrecautions will be needed. Ile will begin
with water-melon, following it up with fruit.

MONDAY AFTERNOON.

Dr. Tanner's sleep during the night was broken. He
stopped at the spring during his morning drive, and drank
sparingly, but his stomach was unable to retain the water.

_ .
He weighed one hundred and twenty-nine pounds when he
returned to the hall, having lost three-quarters of a pound in,
twelve hours.

lie is exceedingly restless and irritable. During the fore-
noon he seemed to be constantly suffering; kept moving
from place to place, apparently trying to find relief.

His symptoms are unchanged. The sphygmographic
tracings are weak and irregular. His pulse was seventy-
our. The dynamometer recorded a pressure of eighty-nlue
kilogrammes. His right hand has not benefltted as much as
was expected by yesterday's rest.
Visitors were allowed to stare at him to-day, but he will
not talk to anybody.
The watchers think him worse this afternoon.
All necessary precautions have been taken, and the re-
quisite remedies will be immediately applied on the appear-
ance of any signs of collapse.
Dr. Tanner himself is sanguine of success.