New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-12
COURTING SLOW DEATH.

60 CRAZY-BAD SYMPrOMs-THE HONrsif or
THE WATCHERS DEFENDED.
Dr. Tanner retained sufficient energy yes
terday to sit for his picture, to walk around
Union Square, to receive number OF Visitors,
and to listen to sacred concert.
But regular physicians who have watched
him closely believe that he is steadily
growing weaker, and this opinion was strength
ened by examinations made last night 1t Is
said that he may lose his senses at any time,
and that that condition will be followed by
sudden death. The Doctor does not share this
opinion. His honesty remains unquestioned
among his regular attendants.
RESULTS OF VOLUNTARY STARVATION.
Some way always seem to be on the wrong
side Of the fence" said emaciated young man as
he sadly gave up quarter at the door or Ciarehdon
Hall yesterday afternoon. Now here am paying
20 cents to see a man starve, and ] pay so week
to starve myself at my clearinghouse, but nobody
| ever pays to see me-"
The calm and quiet Of Sunday were sadly dis
turbed yesterday at Clarendon Hall. Visitors came
and went almost steadily. Physicians Of various
schools met and wisely held mysterious conciayes
in corners The gentler was represented by al
most every variety from the rampant spiritualist
and strong minded woman to the timid damsel who
dares view Dr. Tanner only through her
parted fingers. The day was anything bnt
monotonous. To sit for picture, take
half-hour walk. listen to sacred
concert and receive number OF visitors all III one
day must be considered great achievement for
man to whom life is n continual between-meais
slight flush appeared on DR.. Tanners face in the
afternoon, due probably to the steady breeze that
| blew upon him from the open window. His spirits
| but hp somewhat
weaker. He was accused, however. Of carving on
| Irritation with young woman at the back win
dow of the adjoining house. II was said that hav-
ing no handkerchief he waved his bare foot at her
! in playful and coquettish manner. However, it is
becoming evident that the doctors powers have
been strained almost if not quite, beyond endur-
| ancc.
d. Maurice Miller has watched the case most care
| fully and has made moro elaborate examinations
and analyses than any of the regular physicians.
He said last night To-day has tended TO increase
my conviction that the doctor cannot last another
week. To me he seems unquestiOnaby more feeble.
today than yesterday. His temperature is very
| high aud the back of his neck ard head is ex-
| ceedingly hot and fcverish. This indicates an ex-
cessive amount of nervous wear and tear, which, of
course results in exhaustion of the nervous system
| Once or twice to-day thought he showed indica-
ions of inoohcrercy If he dies from starvation he
| will probably lCse his senses before death. This
rise in temperature may be quickly followed 10y
| sudden TALL that may mean death"
| Dir Wcstcott said al regard DR.. Tanner az hav-
ing done nothing unprecedented thus far. We OF on
have patients who fast IN erect or rather get aGHg
without any considerable amount OF fool, for two
! or three weeks They take food, but aIe unable to
retain it. They have both the lack of food AMI the
debilItatng effects of disease TO contend against,
bur they last for a long time. DE-. Tanner Is man
of robust body, strong mud ana in perfect health.
He has disease to contend against, but only tho
| food - n M l1q gDtH tHrtg ed II
! lasting for perhaps a week longer. But most de-
cIdodly do not believe that he can last for forty
| DAYS" " ~
| paris of the building during tho day. The dronIng
| voice of the preacher and the drcary atie:apts ut
cOnCregat oual singing were plainly audible 10 li
| Tanner and those around him. Tie watch Of the
regulars" during the hirtl-six hours las unfor-
tungtely been subject TO one or two sght lnferrnp
tons due To sudden professional demands upon the
wa chcih' time DIR. Miller has been as constant as
possible in his attendance, and expresses hs deep
regret that the whole experiment has not been con-
duced scientifically 50 is 10 posse las ing vaiue.
Dr. Tanner mas been much troubled DJ natuleney
but is plucly us ever. When asked if lc thought he
could last for forty days, " oI coHr,c can "hat
| Through Saturday night the doctor slept at m
teryals frequently ealing for water to rinse his
threat and complaining once or twice o. the annoy
ance caused by cord underneath bis Cot. lie took
| n sponge bath and dressed himself before a. H..
rcmarking hc did so that he had slept better than
for II long time. Eeturnng to s.S cot his DulsH was
| fouud to be 80, and his temperature 3i@40. lie
| read the morning papers. and spoke conomptuousiy
Of the tnnt fs % bc said there
| were eyes enough upon me TO detect whether nave
taken opium pills or not. lneyer took grain OF
At 5 he rose and asked the watchers to search him
for any "pils or pastilles" The dOctor held ice in
ms mouth often, cjecting the water when the ice
melted About o Il. m he asked to be taken TO
Central Park wishing to ride up IN the street cars.
After the impractoabIty ofthis was demons trated,
TIE docN)r gave tho following explanation of
htsh ln OF a n
iite lie II an living on the tissues of the
BODY. which are constantly being dis'ntegrated bg
oxygen derived from pure AR. Anything winch
prevents this dsIntegration OF tissue, Ike opIaieS;
i opposed to the process OF my living and would
prove fatal to the success of my fast as well as TO
my life. If any pills or food were AIKEN Wh'ie am
tcc.cd In the water returned from rnSlng the
mouth" ,tt..
called He claimed 10 have lived twenty-one days
without food or drink. lie wished to make a
lengthy examination Of Dr. Tanner and sent in a
card The card stated that he was " an VI. y Ii
also stated that he would be at the Revere House.
Boston. on certain days at the Metropolitan
Hotel. New-York, on other days, and mt some place
in Maine for the rest of the time His examinations
were "made without charge" Dr. Tanner looked
at the card. lie was told that the man wished to
examine him G9~t IKE ,1cn tne ef tc Hchg Va tS
onnck about It, | won't see him. don't propose
,SA 10 be paved over by everybody Aud the much
travelled physician from MASSACHUSETTS, retired de'
claring the whole thing to be fraud.
In the afternoon DR.. Tanner expressed q de-
sire to have bouquets ordered for him daily. About
3 he descended to the lower H0or OF the hall. hiS
cot was placed at side of the anteroom, and
while he rested upon it his photograph was taken
IL is said that 10 900 copies nave been ordered Al
. he was lying quietly upon his COT raised upon
three tables and placed next TO tue open window OF
the gallery. party of men and women appeared
and organized themselves into an amateur choll
nnJer tine leadership Of Professor Kline, of Ohio, who
sat at tire piano. They sang WHAT must it be to
be therep which to DR.. Tanner, tossing restlessly
upon his cot, must have seemed suspclously IKE
| ironv At his request they sang "CoronatOn,'
, "Aii Hail the Power of Jesus Nane,p and also
What Shall the Harvest BE 2" Jesus Only aud
Come p The party then fled up into the gallery
ii - ,,rnnnnfed 10 NJ lasfcr Lie sat lls