New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-11
rrvyoRk DAILY TRIBUNE SUNDAY JULY H. 188o-TRIPLE SHEET


with the invisible fend Of hunger is thus far simply
the exhibition of middle-aged man, in apparently
good health, with somewhat sunken eyes aud q
nervously irritable temper. Curiosity has drawn
numbers to sea this exceedingly mild tabeau, but
to the general public it would be tanner than the
coming bul-fght of amiable bulls.
There has been one most interesting spectacle,
however in connection with the aifair-the dis-
putes. the utterings aud perturbatons, the scien-
tiic quarres of those members of the medical pro-
fession who have assisted at the operation. The
wranglngs Of the schools far as they can
be said to have been represented, recall
the scenes in old-time fiction and comedy
when Dr. Bleed and Dr. Purge fought over their pa
tent until he died and more distinguished mem
Der of the profession made Sancho Panza set Dr.
Tanner the example Of going hungry, when the
worthy squire was not at all anxious Tor distinction
in that direction. Some of the regular physicians
who have shown an interest in DR.. Tanner
trial Of strength have apparently been
filled with nervous fears lest he should sue
coed in fasting too long. They have been DIVIDED
in their anxiety between a desire to prove that ho
was cheat and desire to see him promptly ana
ANONYMOUSLY die They have, at all events, DIS
PLAYED the utmost cheerfuness in predicting MS
death at the end of specified time. The eclectic
or the irregular physicians II we may be allowed
TO call them So have glOred In the
doctors achievements They have hailed each
day passed without food as If 1t were, in some
mysterious way a triumph for their peculiar
theories of medicine. They have spurred the
doctor on to greater deeds of abstinence, and wei
coined him. with empty but hospitable hands. to
loftier heights of starvation. They soon became
his moral champions. The regular physi-
han prlu
suspicious Some of them seemed to feel that
Dr. Tanner was dangerous and revOlu-
tionary person, whose in going without food
ten or twelve days would overturn something or
other-no knew just what just how.
This prejudice ed to some foolish accu-
satioDs. That of DR.. Bradley must be classed among
these. But the climax was reached when DR.. Tanner,
enfeebled as he must be by lack of nourishment,
whether he has preserved an absolute fast or not.
burst into tears upon being told that the so-caled
representatives of the Neurological Society had with
drawn from the watch, covering his face with his
hands as he did so. This gravey pronounced
by physician present to be very suspicious
movement" Yet no one has been able to prove. up
to this hour, that DR.. Tanner had loayes of bread
between his fingers or that his whiskers were
charged with beef tea.
But il is well to remember that the medical pro-
The medical gentlemen who have been present do
not include any of our leading physicians and it is
only fair to remember this fact in contemplate
ing the proceedings at Clarendon Hall. There may
be some reasons to regret this, but it is
explained by the reluctance of most medical
men even to become Involved IN any matter OF news
paper notOrcty.
1t is pity that Dr. Tanners fast could not have
been conducted under satisfactory supervision. be-
cause he seems to have impressed the Dublic'with
sense of his honesty. But nothing short of absolute
certainty will suffice in such matter, and that can
not be had now. II would be interesting to know
just how long man of strong physique and n
powerful VIII could sustain himself without
nourishmeut Whether the experiment would be
of any practical value is n question upon which
viii it be believed l-the doctors disagree. Some
hold that such demonstration. if successful,
would save castaway5 on the sea from the fatal
despair which soon seizes Them They would
know that strong effort Of the will
might preserve them. Concerning which it
must be said that comfortable cot
an abundance of ce-water, and the certainty of
having food as soon as the vital force begins to fail
must be great aids to Dr. Tanners will. and these
advantages are only to be had in well-regulated
shipwrecks. 1t is claimed also that in certain dis
eases of the digestive system, where it is the prac
tce now to give as Little food possible. the patient
can be safely starved when he knows that if he will
only make an effort" he can live through it. and
be- more easily cured.
Whether the fasting Doctor will revOlutonize
medicine remains to be Sc u. But if he lasts much
longer he viii set precedent of fearful and won
deriul import. lie viii reyOlutlonze beggary for
one thing. No one Will be moved in the least de-
gree by the mendlcants statement that he has not
tasted bread since yesterday morning. If he can
show that he has gone without food for ninety days.
lac will have claim charity. III he can prove
that has subssted Ice-water since year before
last any relief association will furnish him with
copy of some standard work on tho Human VIII.
DR.. Tanner will revOlutonize trades-union-
ian. When strikers call their brethren
for funds the reply will come to take
another pull on their belts and make
UP their minds to survive. He will throw the
butcher and baker into bankruptcy. He may cause
the political beef-eater to be abolished. IL may
even bring about reduction in clergymen's sala-
ries. But this would be unjust. Too many of them
are reckoned on the Tanner plan already.
--~
The dibQny fr1Rs does rot like to hear il said