New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-28
ONLY len DAYS MORE TO FAST.
DIR. TANNER GROWING

SPECULATION AS TO THE EFFECT OF FOOD AT THE
END OF THE FAsT-wEARY HOURS BEGUILED
BY MUsIC-sLIGHT INCREASE IN THE DOCTORS
WEIGHT.
GLOW will DR.. Tanners stomach act when he
hepns TO eat ~ This ~ one of the many interest
inc questions afforded by the fast at Clarendon Hail.
1t rs known that the stomach seems TO become
weakened by prolonged abstinence from nourlsh-
ment so as to eject food when taken, but DIR. Tan
ncr said Yesterday 1.-The reports that my stomach
rejected food at the end of former fast are enron
neous When said formerly that was unable to
retain the milk drank. meant that 1t seemed 10
he Instantly absorbed, for didn't feel 1t at all, ana
instantly drank quart more a physclan at the
hall expressed the opinion that Dr. lanneis
stomach would probably assmilate milk at the end
of the fast He said "As there is nothing 10
stimulate the stomach now, OF course the secretion
of the gastric juice is not actively going on, ana the
functions of the stomach are IN a state OF aDey-
ance But think it probable that he will be able
to take milk aad sngn d e fod og o
capacity of the stomach. This is on the SUPPOSE
ton that the functions eff the stomach, although In
a0eyance are still preserved If the functions are
paTayzed and lost, then no food can be taken, ana
death must enSue."
The fact that only ten days more remain has ex-
cited this speculation in regard TO the probable ac-
ton of DR.. Tanners stomach when surprised by
food. The doctor though still growing weaker,
SCENE grmy determined to fight to the death, ana
be will certainly finish the forty days II VIII alone
can 90 il. But every day brings some new, th0ugd
slight sign of weakness. One day he is sick; an
other his stomach refuses water; then ne becomes
irritable and easily exhausted and shrnks from an
ascent of the stairs No at the hall ventures any
positive predictions any longer but 1t Is the OPINION
of those qualified TO Judge that the DOCTOR Is steduy
In the early part of Monday night the doctor tried
to drink water, but before getting 1t was nau-
seated and threw up two tablespOonfuls OF mucous
N0uid. Through the night he was somewhat rest
less asking several times TO have ms cot moved.
Waking at a. M, Yesterday, he seemed somewhat
refreshed and dressing he went Tor his usual drive
i'm the Park. Probably fearing disastrous conse-
quences, he omitted bis morning dnnk AT $40
a. M. however. he asked for water and four ounces
were given him. of which he only drank hall an
ounce He then spoke of feeling remarkably well,
and soon fell asleep. The doctor appeared lstless
during the forenoon and failed to show his usual III,
terest his mail. Most of the visitors were Obliged
TO be content with far-of glimpse OF
the fasting man as he lay asleep, although at one
Chicago. From 10 o'clock till 2 the doctor spent
all the time, with the exception OF aquarter OF an
hour lying Oh his cot Some mineral water had
been sent HIM and the doctor dram small guam
titv mt he failed TO show much enthusiasm. How
ever portlv watcher supplied what the doctor
lacked. 1t is very fine thing" be said, and we
must have this put In q conspicuous place. Every
one that comes must drink some" murmur ran
through the crowd of bystanders on hearing this
announcement. 1t was the first glimpse OF - Tree
lunch" that had appeared at Clarendon Hall. but
the prospect was not encouraging. Men began to
slIde out one by one lest they should be held by
force and compelled to drink the com
remained declared they were not thirsty and
couldn't drink. People came In constantly asking
who in charge OF the faster. Dr Kelley Salu I:
1--WE are bothered every day by these questions.
The watch is under the charge OF the United stateS
Medical College,
About 2 D. ~ DR.. Tanners pulse was found to be
81, slightly more full and regular; the temperature
9s45o and the respiration IA. The dynamometer
showed pressure of so kiogrammes with the right
hand and SO with the left Then the doctor stepped
on the scales IN the large hall and his
weight was declared to be just 1870 pounds. This
is gain of one-quarter of pound since sunday
night, the last time previous that he was weighed.
This gam was considered almost unaccountabe'
One physician suggested that 1t was due to the in
creased quantity of water the doctor has been DRINK
ING since Sunday. The quantity, however, has been
only slightly increased, not sufficiently, IL ls
claimed, to account for the gain. Then 1T was said
that there had been some change IN the doctors
clothing, but it is claimed that he has worn the
same every time he has been weighed
The afternoon was largely devoted to music.
which was first given by small boy, and after hm
some women played and sang. Then some swarthy
but not picturesque wanderers. supposed to be
Spanish Students" appeared. and twangled Vafl-
sat up his cot in the gallery, and regardless or
the women who surrounded him, leaned bis head on
ers. The crowd in the hall stared at hun, but he
was oblivOus of everything except the drumming
of the mandOllns and guitars He expressed his
qualification most emphatically. and the little incl
dent seemed enliven him. The rest of the after
noon was spent IN an endeavor TO escape the WIS
ors. most of whom GeIslsenty wSne9 TO Dore
the scientific" theories evolved by the Wouid-oe
learned men who gazed at and commented on the
doctor. mi, =,
At 6p. IN. the carriage was announced. The doc
tor rose and walked down stairs, evidently
making an effort. Some children blocked the way
across the sidewalk. He raised his cane angrlly.
"What are you looking at 7 Didn't you ever see
hungry man before y he said and casting dis-
gusted look at the crowd that filled the stTeet, ne
settled himself in q Of the carriage blanket
was wrapped about him, and the party disappeared
up the street. >, ,...,
past 8. After resting for short time on the lower
door he walked up to the main hall and sat down
his rocking facing the usual curious crowd
Here he spent an hour. AT y o'clock he went up 10
the gallery The lights were turned down. and
after the visitors had gone the doctor retired Tor the
night. About 10 he was apparently asleep.
DR. Miller said last night In regard TO TINS gam
of a quarter of pound, there Is no doubt that Dr.
Tanners skin is III the best possible condition Tor
absorbing moisture Stlil dont undersoanu Now COW
this gain in weight aud for his remaining stationary
as he did for two days. If we can believe anything
of the teachings of psychologists, Tanner ought TO
be losing rapidly. As to the fluid vOmited up
last night the watchers say it didn't amount to any
thing still it should have been preserved for exam
nation. Toward night the doctor has seemed
better and he has not been so much worse To-Day as
we should reasonably expect. Taking oil these
things together. frankly admit that am unable
to explain the doctors condition now, on the thirt-
eth day, any other superstition than that be has
| taken food And it is necessary to acknowledge
| that the watch has not been exact"
| Another ply stefan said If you calculate the
amount of force contained in a pound of fat, you
will find that Tanner is able to continue his fast
| | think be can last 1t out and 1t can be demon
strated that he is able TO obtain sufficient force
| from his own adipose tissue TO support him."
more name collection of letters than the piles
which arrived yesterday at Clarendon Han it
| some amusement to the watchers by sending
circular and letter about the Mirror
| of Light which he afterward dee
| cribed as sort of spiritual telephone.
| box was received from two Missouri girls" con-
| tanning counterfeit lunch in miniature, Napkin,
| spoon, sand ches and claret were all provided,
carefully made with the exception of the napkin, OF
| wood and glass. $50
| ~ riafic I'm wei