Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-07-15
DIR. TANNER'S LONG FAST.
His Condition NeSterday--F Favorable
Reports of vi edicaI Attendants.
New York Times.


New York Times
At II o'clock p. m., yesterday, Dr.
Tanner entered upon the seventh day
of his voluntary fast for forty days, for
the purpose of convincing the scienti-
tic world that mental action is not
mere function of the brain. There were
not many visitors admitted at Claren-
don Hall during the day, and a placard
at the entrance announced that only
physicians and members of the press
would be allowed to pass. This rule
was pretty strictly enforced by DR..
Tanners attendants, who complain that
he walks more, talks more, and sees
more visitors than are compatible with
the success of his experiment.. From
this time forth all sources of exhaustion
and of tissue destruction will be avoid
ed, and the Doctor will live an ex-
istence as nearly vegetable as
possible. He has stopped drinking wa
ter also for the last day or two, and
only rinses his mouth occasionally, by
way of preventing symptoms of thirst
He rose yesterday morning at the usual
hour, dressed without the assistance of
his attendant, and repaired to the pOr-
ticO for Whit of fresh air, it being Il
belief of his that the maintenance Of
the will-pOwer is III some mysterious
manner associated with the absorption
of oxygen, and that the appropriation
of atmospheric electricity in large
quantities is essential to the preserva-
ton of mental cleaTness. He felt rs
well as usual, he said to his attendant,
but a little languid The fresh air soon
restored him, and at l o'clock p. M,
DR.. Wark called upon the faster and
examined him respecting his physical
condition. DR.. Wark remained until
$50 p. m.. then registered the following
certificate, and went home:
july Al hereby certify that |
watched DR.. Tanner from l p. M until
$50 p. M, during which time he took
no food. He rinsed his mouth repeated
ly with water, but returned to the glass
all that he received. Every symptom
most favorable.
DAVID WARK, M. ID.
AT 3 o'clock p. N. his temperature,
taken by visitor, with accurate instru-
ments, was 9S4 degrees Fahrenheit and
the pulse 96. 1t was observed to be
rather faint and compressible, but
medical attendant who has known the
doctor for some years, explained that
his pulse was generally less strong, APP
parently, than the average, owing to
the fact that the artery at the wrist is
very deep-seated. The skin was moist
and healthy, the cOuntenance pleasant,
and without the usual appearance of
anxiety that follows long fasting, and
the eye clear and unwavering, with nor
NAL dilation of the pupil. The tongue
was moist and slightly furred, but not
more so than would naturally follow
twenty-four hours privatiOn of food.
His conversation was deliberate and CO.
herent. but a little languid. When
asked how he felt, he replied that he
was little feeble, but the fresh air
would soon restore him; but his attend
ant whispered to the visitor not to talk
to him, as he was exciting himself a
great deal more than was beneficial.
DIR. Tanner has not been weighed for
two days. When last placed upon the
scales, on Friday, his loss in weight had
been about ten pounds. 1t is now esti-
mated at thirteen pounds, OF an average
of about two pounds day since the ex-
pertinent commenced. At 5 p. IN. Dr.
2. III. Van Der Weyde called and ex-
pressed surprise that his patient was
looking so well. He had expected when
he left his patient on Saturday evening
that great changes would occur within
the next twenty-four hours, and that on
calling yesterday afternoon he should
find symptoms of impending collapse.
This expectation was based on the sur
prising diminutiOn of the excretion Of
urea; but whether from the absorption
of oxygen or atmospheric electricity
the expectation was disappointed, and
Dr.. Tanner was apparently in good con-
dition DIR. Van Der Weyde makes a
daily analysis to determine the amount
of urea eXcreted.
At $50 DR.. w. 7. Westcott called
made an examination, and registered a
certificate in the book Kept for that
purpose. DIR. Tanners pulse was soft
and compressible, and he showed symp-
toms of weariness. The temperature
was 99 degrees, tongue moist and thinly
covered with a white fur, skin normal,
general appearance good. DR.. r. A.
Gum arrived at 9 o'clock and remained
till 10. DR.. f. S. Bates watched during
the night At $50 DIR. Tanner went to
bed, and at II he was sleeping rather
uneasily.