The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-07-21
REPUBLICAN COUNTY TICKET.


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The Hunger Cure-Tanner's Experiment
Other Experiments.
DIR. Tanner, who has now entered on
the Gath day OF his fast, claims that the
ordeal which he is undergoing is not a
mere idle experiment to test his capacity
for physical endurance, but scientific
test as to the efficacy OF starvation to
overcome disease. He claims, as do others,
that starvation is a powerful means OF
renovating the blood and changing the se-
cretions, and that it is, as compared with
medicine, a natural remedy for many
diseases. We notice that writer in the
New York Herald takes the same view, and
in confirmation Of this view writes out
his experience in an experiment made
many years ago. Wequote as follows:
Mr.. stephen Pearl Andrews writes to
the Herald that twenty.four years ago,
when he was iorty.four years oil age. he
tasted for twenty.one days, living abso-
iutely without food until the last week OF
his fast, and then taking into his system
wvter only, and that in very moderate
quantities. He had been in dyspeptic
condition, and had tried medicines in
vain. Then, on reading Of experiments In
Germany in what was called the "huDgry
cure" Mr. Andrews fanCied that in star
vation he might find a remedy for dys-
nepsia and kindred maladies. He says:
81 did not propose to myself any def.
nite period, | had noticed certain red
patches on my tongue, which supposed
indicated a state OF inflammation OF the
stomach and mucous Innings OF the ali.
meutary canal, and which, l reasoned
must be absolutely cured at all hazards.
determined to fast until these patches on
the tongue should disappear. At the be-
ginning OF the fast was an invalid in the
sense that my system was badly nourished
and somewhat weak but was able TO
walk six or eight miles day, and | took
long walks, but shortened them daily.
After the first week was too much enact.
ated to risk showing myself abroad and
attracting attention; and, becoming 80 far
enfeebled as to have little disposition to
move, l kept indoors, reading writing and
talking with my few visitors. At length
found myself so much exhausted physi.
caly that preferred most OF the time to
recline on either the sofa or the bed; but
| was at no time unable to walk about the
room.
WToward the last was almost skeleton;
but was never before so clear and active
mentally. In the last ten days was
freely rubbed two or three times day by
the hands Of person who seemed to ex-
ert vivifying influence upon me- and, as
far as nv own observation could be trusted
under these exceptional circumstances, |
should say that was less emaciated and
in better bodily condition at the end than
at the middle OF the trial.
"There was no particular reason why
should cease fasting at the precise time at
which did, except that had nearly &C
complished The desired modification in the
look OF the tongue, and that had for
some reason fixed my mind upon the term
OF twenty.one days as the limit beyond
which l would not attempt to go. To all
appearances was was well able TO con-
tinue the experiment considerable time
longer.
when resumed eating l was very
cautious and slow in returning 10 my usual
habits, and the two months OF my conva-
IescenCe wus one OF the most delightful
periods OF my life, II not indeed the most
delightful. The mere physical part OF life |
was almost state OF blise. The flesh that
came upon my bones anew was like the
flesh OF babe, and all my senses were alb
normally acute. Every symptom OF dis
ease seemed to have departed, and have
ever since regarded that period OF starva.
ton as having effected marked physical
regeneration In my system and secured
me valuable prolOngation OF life. am
convinced that the medical faculty have at
their command no other such powerful
means OF controlling and reCuperating the
energies OF the human organization as this
OF simply suspending the use OF food.
shall be willing to communicate to the
medical faculty some features OF my case
that cannot 80 well be spoken OF TO the
public"
We presume that 1t is true that the long
continued depletion OF tho blood by the
absence OF food from the stomach has
marked effect on itscharacter. 1t is no se-
cret that large proportion Of bodily dis
eases are traceable to the food we cal, either
to its quantity or quality. Itpeople would
regulate their diet properly there would
be an immense decline in physical all.
ments, and II Tanners experiment shall
be followed by others that will demon.
strate the valuable effects OF starvation as
a curative agency Tor any class Of diseases
it will be Of great benefit to mankind. 1t
is said, however, that the medical faculty |
in New York do no look with favor on the
experiment. They do not subscribe to the
theory involved. This fact, II it is one, Is
not specially significant, as science has
in many cases made its way in the face OF
learned opposition. Scientific men easily
satisfied themselves that stephenson's ex-
periments with the locomotive never
could be utilized, and DIR. Gardner demon
strated that a steamship could never cross
the ocean while one was actually plough.
ing her way successfully to this side.
The "hunger cure" has had its, gdyo, {