The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-08-03
TANNERS COMPETITOR.
George N. Dittoe, Of the Kentucky
State journal. Fasts.

A member OF tho Scientific Assoc
citation OF Newport, Ky, doubtingithe
fast OF DR.. Tanner, The writer, in or.
der to prove him beyond u doubt
that a human being could live on air
diluted with an occasional drop Of
water at given times, undertook a
i strict fast, beginning Sunday morn.
the lllh inst.
Some trouble arose in regard 10
whether the lasting should begin be-
fore or after the faster wonld cat his
break fast. TWAS finally decided that
he wonltlsbegin after breakfast, which
meal consisted OF only four fried
eggs, slice of ham, two cups OF
coffee, q plate of warm biscuit, and
the minor articles TO suit, and was
served precisely at thirty minutes TO
q O'Clock, so that the faster could get
through in time to begin at the latter
hour, at which time precisely the fast
ing began.
The subject was dressed in. a plain
linen suit ofone piece, covering him
entirely, exlremiiies included. in or
der that he couldn't use bis hands or
feet with which TO smugglc food; ii
was also without pockets. The bed
on which he slept was entirely new,
aud had been thorough examined
that it might not contain any bugs or
other. aiiimalsinihe shape of food ; IL
having becu asserted by several ply
sicians present as their belief ilIat Dr..
Tanner existed on the bug to The bed
born. The lies had also been care,
fully excluded from tho room. they
being very nourishing food. But il
those who drove all the flies out of
the room had known that line subject
at fast never could eat fiies raw, I'M
less they were done up in store apple
butter, they might have saved them
selves that trouble. So q.
After cautionius the partner of his
bosom TO feed The chickens regularly,
the patient began the great lest i'm
mcdialely after breakfast. The fol.
lowing is a true record of the endnr-
ance:
At $3.50 A. M.-Pulse normal,
though gentle cavity in the stomach
is noticeable - 5 81 Ets =
At IA. M.-Pulse not quite so nor
NAL as half an hoGr previous, but
still tolerably normal considering.
1880 A. M.-The patient sleeping
soundly and snoring loudly but the
latter is not caused by loss OF tissue
SO much as that subject lay ON his
back.
ga. M-The patient still asleep, but
called out ''Zweil" lie afterwards ex-
planned that it wasn't because lie was
hungry, but had dreamed lie was mi
saloon drinking beer with some
friends. Here several of the physi-
clans cried out: Fraud, fraud y and
argued that the body could derive
sustenance. from eating and drinking
in his mind, while asleep. DIR. Jeal-
con argued it ,uid nor. -
$3.50 A. M-Patient bright; eyes
same color as usual stomach normal
but fattened tongue moist. Nine
physicians, seven reporters, fourteen
sub-reporters and dozen or so
friends of the undeceased In the
room. 90 -
- a. Patient shows signs OF
hunger, is very grabbed and wants to
kick out of the room DR.. Davis, VINO
stated that he believed patient hadjust
eaten a fly that lad fallen intoshis
throat.
$3.50 A. M.-Pstient asleep again
and sporing normally. Drs. Thorn.
ton, Guikel and Locke determined TO
apply the sphygmegraph to ascer-
tain the true condition of the pulse:
also the dynomeier TO learn how his
muscular strength is, and likewise
the aesthcsiometer Everybody knows
what that is) TO learn the condition OF
his sense of touch. DR.. Jones OBJ
jected 10 the use of the last instru-
ment, saying that the best way of as
certaining the sense OF touch was to
tickle the patient on The end of the
nose, with the ends ola few male
hairs. He was finally allowed. TO
make the test. which proved all &C.
thesiometer a sphygnograph and
com 5ined, for the same
instant it Was applied the doctor lay
on the floor insensiblc. The patient,
had touched him with the punched
end of his right arm.
l0A. M.--Patient experiences q kind
of goneness in the stomach. lie pro-
poses a walk out in the open air, but
DR.. Keener being too keen for him, OBJ
jected. OIL the grounds that a person
fasting SO long could receive nourish-
ment from the air: else, how do the
spirits live? Patient didn't walk.
10 80 A. M.-Here the fasting mans
wife made hee appearance, and wan
ted TO know if they wouldn't allow
him quart Of beer only. She was
refused /; whereas she became greatly
alarmed and said she knew he would
die, and she didn't want a dead man
for husband. 6 -
1lA.M.--Tongue little unnormal,
presenting solpeWhat parched sur
face and patient splitting cotton. A
few ounces Of water was suggested,
but the irate faster Threatened TO
whip any man who would offer him
drank the stun, and
begin now" { ! ~
III 80 A. M.--Stomach filling up
with goneness, but its pulsations are
olcrably normal. The patient wants
o kick out physician who doubts
hat he has tasted since morning. i
IL As A. M.-Dr. Pbythian pro-
Iounces The patient case a most criti-
al one, but the latter exhibits great !