Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-08-03
THE EVENING STAR.


WHAT THE DOCTOR wAS-HIS PRESENT CONDITION.
II VIII oe nve weeks this noon since robust,
Compactly QUILT man strobe sturdily UP the
fdent smile submitted himself to the inspection
OF the physicians who awaited him. Those
VINO were yet ignorant speedily learned the
was born in Tunbr1dge Wells. England. in 1881.
came TO this country at the age OF seventeen
aI0 gong 10 Wisconsin, soon began the study
OF medicine, alterward removing TO Minneapolis,
MIMI, ana practising there as an eclectic
PHYSICIAN. They knew. too, that the stranger,
whom many OF them then saw for the first tine.
was hfm believer IN the virtues oil abstinence
from food as tending to health and the curing OF
dlsease, and also held that life could be pro.
longed without food for a longer period than
had ever come under the direct observation of
or been told that the man before them Claimed
10 nave substanuated his views by an experi
ment upon himself that he claimed TO have
das last iorfy-two days at Minneapolis in July
ana August; 1871, under the partial supervision
OF III. A Meyer, and had thereby cured rheu-
matlsm OF the heart and Inflammation OF the
stomach, with which ne had previously been
affected. Understanding this, the doctors knew,
too. that the Minnesota doctor had offered him.
self as the subject OF an experiment to prove
that ms former statements were true. and to do
puohciy something Of which no authenticated
record has been handed down from the past.
Naturally the assembled doctors watched this
man with interest and curiosity though prob.
ANY none or them believed he would accom-
push The TASK he had voluntarily undertaken
Ihty saw man whose hair had been whltened
oy the passage or forty-nine years but whose
BODY vas almost that of an athlete. About me-
mum helSht, with broad square shoulders deep
full chest and still elastic step, his appearance
gave color to his boast that he could have
gained athletic renown had he chosen that fled
OF distinction. His weight, 1917 pounds came
from hard and solid flesh. When strfpped IT,
was seen that. though possessing no Unusual
museularity, his body was fully and harmon
Ously developed.
His face was the index of his charao,er His
heavy brow overhung deep set. determined
eyes. From the sides OF his straight, large nose
slight lines ran down to the corners Of his
oUth, whose thin lips were set in look of
determination. Powerful jaws and a square,
heavily moulded chin, gave to his face an aspect
OF strength and indomitable resolution. His
nigh cheek bones were fairly covered with
flesh, though the face was not very full. Light
side Whiskers lent him something OF an Eng
1sh aspect, and his square head was uprightly
poised on still wellrounded neck. When his
clOtheS were removed and the doctors crowded
nearer, they found his flesh solid, the very fat
seeming firm instead OF being soft and fiabby
WHAT DIR. TANNER Is.
A ShapeleSS heap muffied In blankets lay on
cot In the south gallery OF Clarendon Hall
yesterday afternoon. From little distance a
few gray hairs standing stiffly out were all that
showed that anything except blankets was on
the cot. Presently the heap moved uneasly,
and face appeared at one end OF the bed-a
face In which there was something intent,
1erce and wolftsh as the man suddenly. awak-
Then he seated himself on the edge OF the cot,
and film seemed to come over the sunken
eyes, that lost their lnStre and became half
closed, as If weighed down by remorseless
WEAKNESS. AS the face, still showing a dull
color settled into repose, it seemed to
be drawn into series of lines converg-
Ing to the point OF the nose. Three deep
wrinkles in the middle OF the brow gave an as
pect of anxiety and suffering to the face. Rigid
lines extended to the corners OF the mouth.
Heavy shadows were visible under the cavern
GUS eyes, and the skin was tightly drawn over
me Dones OF the forehead and cheeks. A
Slightly tremulous motion was visible in the
once nImly set lips, only tightly closed now
when the owner becomes excited and aroused.
AS the man sat On the cot his head YEARLY sank
forward, as If his shrunken neck were power
less to support it. He buried his face in his
hands-no longer white, but OF an almost pur-
piish hue. His bent back, dropping head and
nerveless hands told OF moment Of deSpond
ency, and presented picture of intense but
silent misery. Then the man slowly rose waver-
Ing little at iirst and half reaching out as if for
some supporN His head was still bent forward
his rounded shoulders made his chest seem fiat
and bis loosely hanging clothing easily brought
bellef In the fact that he had lost 81 pounds In
"a Gays. few steps were taken, the slippered
feet shutting heavily along the bare fioor and
the weak limbs trembling a little underneath
the weight they almost failed to support. Then
some one spoke and the man seemed to realize
that every motion was closely watched. His
head went up, the iron jaws settled firmly to.
gether, and new light came into the clouded
eyes. with trace or his Old-t1me Vigor, the
feeble walker increased his pace, taking long
strides, although his feet still Shuffied along
the floor soon the steps grew slower-the
body made its claims felt even against the i'm
perlous domination OF the Willard turning to
bis chair the weary man sank into tt with a
half-uttered sigh OF relief. He looked vacantly
around for moment then feeling that the ne
ceSsity for exertiOn was past, his head again
cropped forward. and he looked asleep or
busted in dismal thoughts OF himself.
such was and such is DR.. Tanner. His care
WORE face and unnatural eyes show plainly the
maciation, anxiety and suffering that he has
Undergone. Yet the-old sptrie seems to animate
hum, although feebiy, and his condition, Won
dtr1ully good for one who has performed his
task. is no more strange than the occasional
fits OF nervous energy which carry him through
what would seem TO be impossible eXertion.-
y. J.. Tribune.