The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1878-01-11

4
published very long letter on the sub
ject, the main point OF which is the Of.
fer contained at the close. That such q
feat as he claims to have done is not an
impossibility, he contends, from the
cases Of the Saviour, whom, however,
he admits 10 have been more than hui
man, and Of the wife Of DIR. Smith, oi
this city, who Is said To have lived 81
days with no other nourishment than a
little gum-Arabic water. lie also cites
the instances Of Kane, Fremont, and
other explorers, who have preserved
their vitality under prolonged fasting
and hardship; then goes on 10 argue
that In hibernations Of -blooded
reptiles and certain superior forms Of
animated nature we have abundant ev-
idence 10 support the assumption that
total abstinence from food for many
months does not involve the total ex-
tinction Of the vital principle" Hi
bernating animals, DR.. Tanner says,
show no loss Of flesh after passing a
winter without food-which, indeed, is
not usually the case; all through the
parental period the embryo child exists
without air or food, and there are innu-
merable well authenticated cases Of
catalepsy or trance in which persons,
from variety Of causes, have sunk
into morbid state which has been mis-
taken for death. In these cases, as in
alternating animals, the involuntary
forces were suspended, the lungs and
heart no longer heaved and pulsated,
the blood ceased to circulate. and the
limbs grew stiff and cold. Thousands
in this condition have been prematurely
buried, come to life, turned over in their
collins, and persisted. The Doctor con-
tends that this condition of suspended
animation Is identicallv the same as that
found in animals during the winter re-
pose, and that there is nothing 10 show
why IL should not exist for an indefinite
period, as the same law that sustains
the lower animals through the long.
tedious winter months III "A condition III
animation is simply sufficient
TO sustain and keep alive the vital spark
IN the higher forms Of animated nature.
when conditions are favorable. When
the voluntary powers Of our bodies are
exhausted they fall asleep at night. and
IN the morning we wake up refreshed
But when the involuntary powers are
entirely exhausted BY pain Or fevers, ~
sickness in general, they fall asleep.
This sleep we call death. Ii not entire
y exhausted, but closely approximating
% it, then we get the condition above
described. Hence at death, could the
avs of chemistry that dccompose our
bodies be suspended, and could the en-
ire system, blood and all, be kept in en-
irely the same condition As when we ex
bred, we should wake up after few
lays in perfect health. Says DIR. Tan
Ter:
" II was with desire 10 know more
about this change. 10 probe its mystic
les, that voluntarily undertook the
liscomforting task Of exhausting the in
voluntary forces Of my system BY forty
wo days Of total abstinence from food, |
md by daily exercises SO far succeeded |
. to be brought to the very portals Of \
he tomb. could almost see over to \
he other shore; the hearts action was
veil night suspended; for a number Of
lays there was no perceplible circula-
ion in the extrcmities. In consequence
4 my own imprndcnce in drinking cold
water to excess and unduly exercising
N the thirty-eighth day Of my fast,
which induced persistent refching and
omiing, with intervals of severe hic-
ough, the experiment was not pushed
. the extent desired and intended.
% not hesitate To declare il a. nv firm
cief that il Il not impossible for hui
lan beings, peculiarly constituted and
nder favorable conditions, to remain
Or months in a condition Of suspended
Qike the lower animals), de-
rived Of air, food, and water, ard
uried six feet under ground. withal. II
'awell established fact that alternating
nimals do exist for months in condi-
on Of suspended animation. Who. IN
le face Of these facts, dare affirm that
ian, the browning glory Of all animal
reations, Is incapable Of such expert
nce?''
BY way Of final argument is adduced
ne familiar case of the Sikh fakir. who
ould retain liz during period Of ten
lonths when buried under the ground ,
a sealed box.
The Doctor then announces his will ,
ngness 10 repeat his fast under strict
sts, but he does not wish to do SO 10 I
Dtain notoriety, to crafty idle curiosi-
Z, or 70 make money. This, however,
will do: He will repeat the expert
ent, under the strictest surveillance. ,
r $4,000, the amount to be raised and {
sposited in any Trustworthy bank in {
Minneapolis or 81. Paul. II be succeeds ,
totally abstaining from food for forty i
'ys $1,000 shall be subject to his order i
the expiration Of the time allotted to i
. experiment; the remaining $4,000 1
all be subject 10 the order of the Ma n
N q the House Of Refuge AZ Mime
'olis, 70 aid her in her noble endeavors
reclaim the unfortunate. II he fails b
totally abstaining from food for the h