Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-14

SELF IMPOSED STARvATIoN-John French,
Of Hagcrstown, Nd, recently passed from this
life. alter an illness of more than two weeks,
brought about in most remarkable way. The
facts are about as follows FOR two or three
years past it has been noticed that the young
man held peculiar views upon various subjects,
and especially upon religion and his future
state. He became fond Of reading that class
of works on theoretical religion in the ,rancen-
dental style To such an extent did he become
absorbed in some of the nystlclSms and So
phstries of these quacks in theology that his
brain gave way, and reason, at least upon re-
lpious subjects, took flight and while labor
ng under the misfortune, he became impressed
with the idea that he had some special rcl-
gious task to perform, whichcould only be &C
complishcd after he had tasted torty days and
forty nights, which feat ho began nearly two
months ago. and actually finished Two weeks
since.
Every effort made during that time TO induce
him to eat utterly failed, and those who were
in close contact with him al! the tiE.c, say that
not mouthful passed his lips. Strategy, at.
ter persuasion had exhausted itself, was resort.
ed to by his friends. Tempting fruit and other
things were placed in his way, and in such
manner as to leave him under the impression
that their presence was unknown to all but
himself yet he relrancd from partaking OF
them in every instance. OF course during this
time he became very much reduced looking
more like skeleton than living human be
ing. Nature at length could stand the strain
no longer, and few days before the expiration
of the forty days he was compelled to take to
his bed and, although everything that could
be done for him was done, he at last gave way,
and his spirit sought that sphere where the
great mystery finds solution. After the forty
days he was ted with great care but his system
had sunk too deeply to recuperate. There arc
very few in the community who doubt that
French really did what he prolesSed to under
take, namely, with the exception of drinking
freely of water and smoking considerably, to
actually live forty days and nights without
tasting food.
MIASMATIC FAPORS. There is an almost
infallblc preventive of i'll effects arising from
exposure to miasm in the open air, about sun
rise and sunset, aud one that is easy of practl'
cal application under almost any ordinary cir
cumstances-that is, by eating hearty warm
breakfast before going out Of doors in the morn
ing, and by taking supper just before sundown.
The philosophy OF the matter is that hearty
meal so cxcltcs the circulation and so invigo
rates the whole frame that it acquires the pow
er OF resisting the disease cngenderiDg lntu
ences of miaSm.
In choosing site tor a house, we should bear
in mind that miasm does not cross a wide or
rapid stream second that it is absorbed by thick
living, luxurant foliage; third that it cannot
travel against the wind; and lastly that it can
not ascend high, steep hill.
The gasses from cellars are constantly ascend
ing, and arc liable to affect every room in the
house with an unwholesomc atmosphere.
Every cellar should be so cnntrived that
either by its grating, or windows, or doors, il
may be easily and thoroughly ventilated a ar
hour or two every day 10 the year. This i
often very perfectly done by 1ue running int
the chimney. Shelves in the cellar should no
be placed against wall, but suspended from
the ceiling, which is better on several accounts
as preventive against vermin and as glVlnl
more floor room, and enabling the whtewssh
ing to be more thoroughly done.