New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-08
DIR. TANNERS ENDURANCE.

HIS FAST UNBROKEN AFTER NINE DAYS.
A FEE NOW CHARGED FOR ADMISSION TO THE HALL
THE NEUROLOGICAL SOCIETY INSTITUTES
A SCRUTINY OF THE ExPERIMENT-RARE ROAST
BEEF sKNT BY MAIL-THE DOCTOR IN GOOD
sPIRITs-TEsTING HIS sENsrBuITY
George Francis Trains advice has ut last been
taken. and an admission fee of % cents IS now
charged for a sight of the fasting doctor. door
keeper with outstretched palm. and the dsplriting
words No free list" struck terror yesterday into
the hearts Of the seedy individuals who have tried
to pass themselves off as physicians and newspaper
men. This was necessary as measure OF seli-de-
fence, as DR.. Tanner has been exceedingly annoyed
by visitors, who have disturbed him and irritated
the air of the hall One so-called doctor, with
strong alcoholic breath, examined DIR. Tanner, and
then made this entry in the books 1 consider DIR.
Tanner most extraordinary man. have watched
him for two hours and be has not had resort to
food.r
The members OF the regular" profession have at
last become interested in the case, and yesterday
morning at z o'clock watch was begun and is 10
be carried on by twelve physicians under the
auspices OF the Neurological Society. DR.. Weeks,
who published in yesterdays TRIBUNE an invita-
ton TO regulars" to join him in watching, was
also on hand during the day. There was some
thing tragic about the scenes at the
ball. No member of the regular profess
sion present would admit the possibility
Of DR.. Tanners success. The teachings of science
and experience were backed against an old mans
will. and the watchers sat there calmly awaiting
the lnevtabe-Dr. Tanners death. Or. Maurice
W. Miller said: " Dr. Tanner appears to be in good
condition. He does not look badly, and is not much
emaciated. He does not seem as man
would seem after fasting for nine days His appear
ance naturally suggests grave doubts, for he has
the appearance of well nourished man. He wears
a lively expression much Of the time and shows no
indication Of suffering. This is not what we expect
He has absorbed more less water OF course, from
his baths and the wet cloths on his head and
hands. Then when he rinses his mouth,
he retains ltte-about half drachm. As
lie is constantly gaTgling his throat, this
amounts to something The watching has not been
systematically and closly conducted. People have
been allowed to crowd around him and he has taken
things without examination. Only a little while
ago doctor here gave him two towels which he
asked for. No one had looked at them, and they
might al most have contained a loaf of bread. But
l trust for tile rest of the time closer watch will
be kept"
Another doctor present said: a. fail to detect
the peculiar odor characteristic Of starvation or
any other marked symptoms. STILL l do not be-
Heve in the possibility Of his ACCOMPLISHING his
task. Cases Of fasting for longer periods than
this h9ye been known"
" lie has accomplish shed this wonderful feat OF fasting
for over nine day and point 10 what nc has done
az an ind caton for he future"
From midui4ht Tuesday till Z a. m. Wednesday
Dr. Tanner spent most of bis time sleeping on his
cot which was placed IN tho window with the head
outside. The stirring ar is refreshing be said.
He frequently r.nsed his mouth and insisted upon
the reu,casuremrnt Of the quantity elac-ed when 1t
was overlooked. His night was rather a restless one:
As n rule, however. he sleeps quietly, and
seldom seems 10 be- disturbed by bad Dreams At
$50 A. m. nc complained Of cold and was covered
with a rubber blanket. About pal past five he
rose and dressed his clothing ana becoming ~ usual,
being searched. lie washed ms face, head and
hands and the physicians noticed during his toilet
tat ms bones were still well covered with fat"
At 1928 he walked nine laps around the hail, when
his pulse went mp TO l16 and was free but weak.
About O'Clock he received piece of rare roast
beef by mail, which he declined with thanks. He
read the morning papers and appeared calm and
rational. Dropping 0H 10 sleep for few moments,
he seemed restless. and cried out. Some letters
were read % him. and after nan he remarked tnaj
ne no longer had any desire to swallow water and
that lis natural cravings seemed buntfd. At II
his pulse was 95 and his temperature % 3-l0O.
About 115 p m. Miss Manser began playing
tie piano. BE doctor eXclaiued: Let's nave
some music" and eapIng from the cot 70 chair he
Jumped to tho floor and ran into the
large hall. lie thanked the performer and
music. At o'clock ne received a present of
a cot bed. An ambitious manufacturer, alive
the value 81 free advertising, 5fht tue Dcu a. u
gift and in nbsen-mnded way also left several If
bis advertisements scattered complementary about;
The doctor was delighted. Give this man good
notice" he said 10 the reporter.
Dr. Tanners time was passed In short maps,
bathing bis head, rnsng bis mouth, and talking 70
the attending doctors. lie seemed strong and
confident. Living down about then, he was
very res less and suddenly pitched his rubber
pillow ont into the middle Of the floor He then
auietlv famed himself with q huge pamieaf. |
About young woman began to play. 60 on"
exclaimed the doctor. " You can't play too
much" Afterward she sang, and he ap-
plauded by cappinC his hands. Throughout the
day be called for water Ofteuer than previously.
and he caused wet cloths to he placed upon bis
bead and hands Toward six he seemed restless
and twisted himself into all sorts OF ungainly att
udes as he lay upOn his little cot placed IN the hall
window. DR.. Kuntze sent him nght-Olooming
cereus which opens at q. lt was brought IN ana
tie doctors eyes opened wide with pleasure at the
sight. Bring it nearer. want to see 1t Closer"
be said
much water as a short time before. You doctors
are doing your duty better he retorted. When
ever new physician was introduced, DR.. Tanner
said cour,e0usly: " am in your hands Iou do
your part and I'll do mine. just stick TO me
and IN be all right" At 6:15 his temper
ature was g1L2T ana ms -, P %s - So. vie ne
hack 10 the front window for fresh air Noticing
that crowd was collected IN the street watching
him ne SAID: " II reminds nue. of a reed shaken by
the WIndD About 7 he took q toy marble into his
mouth to excite the salIvary glands. lie was
pleasant and even inclined 20 joke. Freshly weted
towels were applied TO MS heau ana ne lay quietly
on the cot for some time: About 500 he walked
into the ante-room followed by his watchers,
picked up a comb and brush, and made, a
hasty toilet, standing before the glass. He
then returned to the cot in the large
hall. A number Of people had entered by
this time and they were silently grouped about
the railing. Some interesting experiments were
made by his washers about O'clock to determine
whether not his sensibility was diminished. The
esthesiometer was ployed an instrument consist
ing of two sharp points which are arranged at
right angles to a graduated scale upon which they
ear be moved backward and forward. This was ap-
pIied TO Dr. Tanners feet, legs, hands and arms.
He was almost invariably able to tell whether ole
point or two had been applied even when they
were very near together. lie distinguished dis
tanees as small as IS of an inch, and the opinion
of the physicians was that his sensibility was not
diminished. These proceedings were watched