New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-13
VOLUNTARY STARVATION.

FAVORABLE SYMPTOMS IN TIE EVENING.
DR.. Tanner surprised his watchers yester-
day by rallying and appearing in better con-
dition and more cheerful. lie chatted with
DR.. Hull and other callers, and received
q challenge to fasting match"
which ne seems disposed to consider seri-
ously. Toward evening, however, unfa-
vorable symptoms appeared. The faster
seemed chilly and somewhat drowsy'
Many of the physicians at the hall look for
sudden change for the worse at any moment.
The Doctor spoke of feeling better and less
hungry than last week.
FOURTEEN DAYS WITHOUT FOOD.
"pm betting on the doctor" said gambler
yesterday afternoon he critically examined DIR.
Tanners points "Pn back the man against time
Why. look at him, he's as healthy as am and he's
full of blood. Yes think this is all on the square,
don't see any chance for selling out or foul play.
hope the old man will come In first, but it's queer
match it's the queerest match / ever heard of"
and the old sportsman departed shaking bis head
But there were those among the physicians who
felt the grave force of possibilities that might any
moment develop into fatal results On the table
near DIR. Tanner stood q large case made OF polished
wood and encircled by nickel clasps 1t had for
bidding look suggestive of the surgeons office. 1t
was galvanic battery, and it was placed near
DR.. Tanner as last resort in case symptoms
of dissolution suddenly appeared. If his tempera-
ture after a sudden rise suddenly falls far below
the normal point and he loses his senses, the bat
terry will be instantly applied and he will be sub
lected to the most powerful stimulants But to the
surprise of most of his attendants, DIR. Tanner
seemed to rally yesterday. The hectic flush that
had lighted up his wan cheek disappeared. He
slept comfortably during much of Sunday night,
and this together with the slightly lessened heat OF
yesterday seemed TO revive him. He conversed
freely and was more cheerful and amiabie than the
day before He received many visitors and enthu-
yiastically applauded the music with which he was
favored at intervals. When he was in Union-square
eary yesterday morning, no one. to look at the re-
ypectabe old man who sat quietly pulling bouquet
Of flowers to pieces, would have dreamed that his
ron will had kept him fourteen days without food.
He shows an increased preference for lying quietly
DID his cot as the days so by Much of the time he
Is half DOING often asking for water to be used in
rnsng his mouth for sponges, wet towels or pieces
of ice He is very fond too. of flowers and lies for
long time with a bouquet in bis hand.
Though the doctor apparently rallied yesterday
and seemed stronger and more energetic the opinion
of the OCULAR physicians remained unshaken that
each day brings him nearer n disastrous end. The
examinations made by Dr.. Miller last night showed
significant results. The temperature was $50. one
half degree below normal; the respiration was To-
the normal berg IS /; while the pulse was 10Y, the
normal pulse being about SO. These results,
coupled with the fact that DR.. Tanner complained
frequently of cold and was covered with blankets,
decided Dr. Miller that uniavOTaOle reaction was
taking place. While admitting that Dr.. Tanner
had seemed brighter aud better during the day, ne
thought last night that he was more badly ell than
before and That a chang, for the worse might be
rapidly approaching.
Annoyances seem TO multiply for the unfortunate
hungr, man. Visitors swarm around him aud insist
upon penetrating to the gallery and approaching The
cot as closely possible Yesterday afternoon
about o'clock strong smell was waited upward
Ii came from the boarding house kitchen In the
rear of the hail. The doctor tossed and turned and
finally broke out into half smOthered imprecations
twas evident that the smell Of boarding house
food had no charms for him.
From 10 10 1870 on Sunday night the doctor
slept quietly without moaning seeming to be
disturbed by bad dreams. lie woke in time to hear
a discussion among his watchers as to the posi-
bihty of food being handed to HIM through the
window and the chance Of his falling out of IT, lie
replied by asking the watchers to stand on either
side of ms bed, and assuring them that be was per-
feetIy conscious of what he was
dong Later he fell asleep again and
waxing called 1Or more DlaUk6ts. AT - IA.
he ked TO have his clothes examined, AS he wished
10 dress. He looked over the morning papers. ana
then asked TO take walk. At q a. Ii. he started
out, accompanied by his watchers, ana strOIled
through Union-square. He seemed TO enjoy tbis ex-
coed nglv and the hour so early lie attracted
little or no attention from passers-by The doctor
was weighed. and his weight proved to be 1873
pounds. AS he weighed 137 z pounds at the begin
ming this shows loss of 24l2 POUNDS IN less thaa
fourteen days, giving an average loss each day OF
167 pounds Returning to the hall, his calls for
water and ice grew more frequent Me
looked over his morning mail, which was carefully
inspected, and received bouquet Of flowers winch
was presented by Miss Linda Gilbert. The doctor
for long time lay flat on his stomach iayorte
position of his, with his eyes nearly closed, appar-
emily browsing. Afterwards he conversed with Miss
Gilbert on the benefits that viii accrue to science
from his experiment. Later de received visit
from friend from Ohio One of the watchers read
him letter challenging him to O lasting match
with Mr.. Polk of Baltimore, to which the doctor re-
mixed that he supposed he was IN Tor Whatever was
10 follow. The challenge was rs follows: 49,.
Amer YOU reeuperated from your present tasK
a,teep days fasting, Tor $500 sde pay or play the
weigh at % Az b ann md o 4b b
,aaseh 20 lose procure nall here isnitabe for
=" 10 the winner and 25 per cent to the loser num-
Der competent physicians have 70 serve
Justice and airness will be shown you at all hazards
MI POLK a resident OF this city, ana VIII nut up ms
own money which he has accumulated by such matches
as long distances and sWiilmlnS.
At2p.m Dr. Tanner was sleeping in the gallery,
his celor appearing normal and bis temperature not
unusually nigh some women pnayea ia anu VT AM ao Or
Enthusiastically applauded. Soon after, Dr. HuIl,
whose murdered wife will probably DO avenged soon
Sy the hanging OF Chastine Cox. called on the
fa8ter. -, 49,. ..L
ths afternoon said that he found evil
dence Whatever of mental disorder or aber-
ration nor even of physical disturbance
But this opinion was at variance with that OF Dr.
Maurice n Mills who vas watch from TO D.
m The temperature pulse aud respiration were
abnormal. DIR. Tanner for three hours ana not ASK
for water to rinse his throat He complained of
cold and was covered with coat and two thick
pesses of blanket He seemed dTOwSy and sluggish,
and ,aneh less inclined to talk than usual He
sonsed himself once about $3.50, to be exhibited TO
the visitors. He sat upon his cot hudded up in a
beap His face rested upon his banqs
and has elbows were placed upon his