New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-06
DIR. TANNERS EXPERIMENT.
THE SECOND WEEK OF HIS FAST BEGUN.

WHAT THE DOCTOR SAYS ABOUT HIS ABSTINENCE
NO CRAVING FOR FOOD.
Dr. II. s. Tanner began the second week of his
self-impcsed task of fasting forty days yes
terday AT that time he had lost in weight fourteen
pounds. His pulse was 90. and his temperature
oslo He was in good spirits, and the watching
physicians reported his condition as excellent. To
the casual observer there is nothing about his ap-
pcarance to attract particular attention. With the
exception OF a slight blurred and sleepy look a0ont
the eyes which appear. OF the physicians pres
ent said, " as If he had Just awakened, and had
his eyes fully opeued YETI he shows no effects of his
fast. wooden railing has been erected III the CEN
tire of Clarendon Hail. inclosing space perhaps
thirty by fifty feet, within which DIR. Tanner re-
mains. He has scaniy supply OF furnl-
ture consisting only of small cot straight back
cane-bottom char aud a rocking chair. When a
TRIBUNE reporter entered the hall yesterday after
noon Dr. Tanner was seated in the rocking chair
resting his feet upon the wooden railing, and was
engaged III reading, wearing eyeglasses for that
purpose.
Dr. Wordsworth and Mr.. Johnson watched with
the Doctor from $50 p. until midnight Sunday
They reported him as being rather lively and con-
versing with freedom just previous TO the begin
ming of the watch. About this time he retired nav
ing his bed raised 10 the level of the window IN
order TO get better air At midnight Drs. j. f..
f''sNN $1,000
watchers. They reported DR.. Tanner as sleeping
quietly. AT 1 a. m. he awoke and rnsed his mouth
with four ounces of water. His pulse was so, and
sunken at the wrist A. times during the night he
complained of dryness of the tongue, and Tinsed
his mouth several times At 4:lo a. IN. his pulse
was ~ and his temperature normal. At BIO a. IN.
he arose and dressed himself that he did not
feel as nervous as on the previous night
At7a m Dr. Tanner made a decided change in
his movements by taking walk out of doors. Ac-
companied by his watchers, Drs. Il. y. Gum and
JE.Wright, he walked to Thlrteenth-stand Fourth
ave-. where he was weighed. His weight was
1887 pounds. Then he walked up Fourth-avc 10
Sixteeenth-st through Union-sQuare. and thence to
the hail. returning at 7:2O He walked without
support and had no cane. His physical condition
was reported then az being better than for several
DAYS and he appeared more cheerful. From g;3O
until noon Yesterday he was watched by DE- l. :.
Stone who reported that he gaTgcd water four
times and rested his cot the greater part OF me
morning. Up to noon he had not only been win
ont food for 1GS hours, hut also without water 1or
l32 hours and 10 minutes, with the exception oil
four ounces taken onJune30. At pm. the Watchers
were Drs. James ID. Badham aud j. f. DanleisGn VINO
reportcd DR.. Tanners pulse 10 be 80 and tompera-
ture 9Sl2o. Tho watchers III the afternoon were
Drs Charles Griswod OF BROOKLYN ana James .aIIoS
Wilson DR.. Gum and ID. I. ArOSemena watched
'' DR.. Tanner is an EneIishman. having come to
this country at the age Of seventeen. lie is now
fortv-nne years of age. HIS home has been chiefly
in Ohio and Minnesota. His last long fast was
made in 1877 at Minneapolis MIMI. IN the months
of July and August and continued forty-tw0 days.
When asked about p. m. yesterday now Ie was
feeling, he SAID II ,;1 IF
they only give me half a chance VIII come out
ahead. | could get along much more comfortably
with an easy ned and char. but do not INSIST upon
Injuries even ordinary comforts, IN older 10 con
vince nv watchers That am acting In perfect non
esty Thus it Is that have everything as simple as
possible" .....,.--,..
DO Won think that your constitution is peculiarly
adapted resist the effects of tastngT was asked.
"No, DO not. Anyone with strong VIII power pow It
who understands himself and is temperate, can DO
it, Nv success is owing to a thorough Knowledge
of myself. have always lived IN street obedience
10 the laws OF nature as nearly as possible
do you not feel pain III your stomach OF intense
craving for food Y
Not at all. | feel no morbid desire or craving
for food more than AT any time between meals when
am not fasting =,
Notwithstanding that notice is posted on the
outer door of the hall prohibiting admission except
10 nhysiciaus and members Of the press. spectators
come ana 90 throughout the day. the nuinoOr oi per
SONS at any one time varying ron twenty ~
forty Among the physicians who called yeStcr,
dav were Drs. Alexander Wilder X. A Gum and
David Wark. 40,
yoanv nersons come in TO see DR.. Tanner who have
been through some form of endurance. Among
them are lonc-dIstance walkers. men who have gone
without sleep, fasteTs and Others A man
who was in Libby Prison at the time OF the Rebel
lion was here tins morning. Tie escaped from the
prison after having lost twenty-five pounds ny 1as-
ing and fatigue. and has never recovered But
there is striking difference between MS case anu
that of Dr. Tanner. The former was laborlna uhder
a severe mental straIn by which his system was
wrecked but with DIR. Tanner there IS no mental
strain lie IS able to concentrate all the elements of
vitality SUNDAY morning however, his pulse was
1870 aud thought that he must give up. bHt ne
has a very powerful Will. HIS race is relnafA ape
FOR frmness and Ni-pOwer. singular TACT Is mat
he does not use the word hunger. lie speaks OF
'copstrction of the stomach instead, and fancy
that this Is what causes him to lie down so often:
He has already lost fourteen pounds, but he should
not lose over pound day. ADStainlhg from
water, however causes MN TO lose He-, inolt ray?
idly. lie claims that his abStalnlng from water Is
NOT i'm the agreement. and that II this shOld appear
TO indicate cause Of failure he VIII be5m TO drink
It again He also claims the privilege OF Hdihg OUT
When Dr. Wilder entered the hall DR.. Tanner
arose quickly, and extending ms hand saldi
Inust shake hands with you whether they VIII let
me or not" In his haDdshaklDg were no signs OF
weakness. Striking with his foot part Oh tne
one of the watchers, " Don't YOU think can pun
that up ~ and with twinkle III his eve, lie stopped
down as If to make the attempt " Yes, yes" hasiiN
answered the watcher. fearing tbat ne WoelH nus
uselessiy exhaust HIMSELF no doupV VI It, H.
Tanner, no doubt OF H.. -.
DR.. Tanner is very particular when rinslng ms
month with water, that exactly tonr ounces are
given TO him. Hetakes it IN measuring glass.
don't propose to have them cheat me-. he said as he
carefully examined the glass yesterday afternoon
ait isn't quito level" lac added as he poured III
little more. As several physicians entered together
he said to them with smile: " You fellows are
going to get into a bad fix # you let me DIE. You
will b. convicted Of mans slaughter and many oIher
crimes When asked for his photograph, lie
walked rapidly across the hail to get it, showing no
signs of weakness.
One of the visitors Yesterday man who said
that me had tasted twelve DAYS and by so dong had
cured severe indigestion. Captain Mullet, OF san
Francisco well known az catcher OF sea hons
called YESTERDAY He said that when Gagged or III
cars the sea lions often eat nothing for one or two
months. .
lie reads his own papers and letters, writes let
ters and cu,s ont the newspaper notices Tor ms
scTap book. :" said Mr.. H. VI. Grady, who IS attending
Dr. Tanner. " lie likes music and Yesterday ana
today several persons pleased HIM by playing on
the piano here. The doctors experiment Is bring
ing IN the theorists and fanatics. man rushed IN
here YESTERDAY and taking ont a card. handed IT to
Tie doctors present, and said g Ii any OF YOU gen.
tlepen Will come with me into the ante-room VIII
show YOU eec TIC ~ running from my arm that Will