Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-07-27
Ineldenls OF Dr. Tnnner,s Fnst.

bhOiOuBus
Incidents of DIR. Tanners Fast.
N. Y. Tribune, 2itb
Then the doctor left his cot and de-
scended to the hall. Many visitors
were waiting to see him. He took
his cane and began walking around the
Enclosure that contained his cot. As
he passed before the row of visitors
and heard their whispered comments,
be Strengthened himself and struck a
vigorous pace. But he relaxed his
efforts as he passed under the gallery.
He shuffied heavily along, his slippers
scufhng ON the floor, and his whole ap-
pearance seemed like that of pedes-
trian at the end of a long race. But
his will still kept him up until be had
concluded several laps, when, appar-
emily satisfied with the effect on the
visitors, he sank into a rocking chair.
A tall, thin man, with the air Ofan ex-
lied Frenchman, rushed at the doctor
tiourishing a paper on which was
written a series of "psychologic ques-
tions" that he wished to ask.
DO you find that your fast subdues
the animal within you ?"
The doctor thought it did.
Are you of an Imaginative or prac-
teal turn Of mind ?"
Practical, very" replied the doc
tor.
DO you find that your fast sharp
ems yourintellect; that you see through
and over things?'
My intuitional-my perceptive
powers are keener," the doctor said,
but the intellectual powers are ma
turally somewhat weakened and be-
come more easily fatigued." This was
said in very suggestive manner.
Are you affected by the magnetic
influence of people around you?"
Yes, | an" replied the doctor,
with strong emphasis. "These people
who come to stare at me and talk to
me wear upon me, and affect me as a
serpent does bird"
Then woman was ushereo into
the inclosure. She asked the doctor
the usual questions, and rising at last
put out her hand The doctor took
it. A physician sitting near exclaim
ed, Doctor, that's forbidden you
ought nOe to touch anyone but your
watchers"
I'll shake hands with my friends
Iif [ wish" DR.. Tanner peeyishly re-
piled, and he shook the woman's hand
again. This little incident illustrates
the difficulty of keeping DR.. Tanner
under control. Returning to the gal
lery, DR.. Tanner fell asleeD on his cot
and slept for an hour and half, de-
spite the noise made by an ignorant
and inexperienced watcher, evidently
from the rural districts, who insisted
that nobody but himself should see
che record book, and then sought TO
remove his bucolic obscurity by dis
tributiDg his professional cards, in the
hope OF seeing his name in a New
York paper.
About q pm, the doctors pulse was
found to be 81 and his respiration II.
He walked down into the hall, where
many visitors were waiting. A very
portly doctor with white hat made
way through the crowd for the slen-
der faster. Then DR.. Tanner mount
ed the scales. The fat doctor struck
an attitude and waved his hat: LA
dies and gentlemen, this is DR.. Tan
ner, the fasting man, who is about to
be weighed, and will then go to drive"
There was a pleasant flavor about the
Bowery Museum about the scene, but
the doctors weight was at last ascer-
tanned to be one hundred and thirty
one pounds-the same as Thursday
night. Then the doctor and his
watchers squeezed through the crowd,
which rushed after, only to encounter
another and larger crowd on the side
walk. But at last the carriage was
reached, and the motley mob was lett
sapning at the back of DR.. Tanners
head, which was rapidly receding in
the distance.
During his drive the doctor was
chatty. He said once, "NOw l can
fill my lungs with air" Returning at
about s pm, he sat on the table at
the head Of the stairs'for few mo-
ments, and then lay down on his cot
in the hall. A little past s o'clock he
went up to the gallery. DR.. Mathews,
U. S. n, called and talked with him
for few moments. But the doctor
seemed weary and exhausted He
slept from 500 until 8, and shortly
after the lights we're turned down, and
the doctor retired for the night.