The bee., 1884-01-19
Fasting.
A KENTUcK1AN TRIES IT FOR THE SAKE
OF SCIENCE.

A member of the Scientific Association,
of Newport, doubling the fast of DR.. Tanner
the writer, in order to prove to him be-
yoEd doubt that human being, in good
health, could exist on air diluted with an
occasional drop of water given time, un-
dertook strict fast, beginning on Sunday
morning the 18th inst.
After cautioning the partner ofhis bosom
to feed the chickens regularly, the patient
began his great test fast Immediately after
breakfast, The following is q true record
of the endurance:
At $50 A. M.-PulSe normal, though a
general cavity in the stomach is noticeable.
At Z A. M.-Pulse not quite so normal
as half an hour previous, but still tolerably
normal considering.
At 7:30 A. M.-The patient sleeping
soundly and snoring loudly but the latter
is not caused by loss of tissue so much as
that the subject lag on his back.
AT A. M.-Tle patient still asleep but
called out "Zwei |" He afterwards explain
ed that it wasn't because he was hungry,
but had dreamed he was in asaloon drink
ing beer with some friends. Here several
of the physicians cried out Fraud fraudw
and argued that the body could derive sus-
tenance from eating and drinking in its
mind while asleep. DR.. Jeancon argued that
it could not.
At $50 A. M.-Patientb bright; eyes same
color as usual stomach normal, but fatter;
tongue moist. Nine physicians, seven re-
porters, fourteen sub-reporters, and dozen
or SO friends ofthe undeceased in the room.
at A. M.-Patient shows signs of
hunger, is very grabbed, and wants to kick
out of the room Dr. Davis, who stated that
he believed the patient&lad just eaten a
fly that had fallen into his throat.
At $50 A. M.-Patient asleep again, and
snoring normally. Drs. Thornton, Gunkel
and Locke determined to apply the sphy-
mOgraph to ascertain the true condition of
the pulse; also, the dynamometer to learn
how his muscular strength is, and likewise
the ssthesiometer Everybody knows what
that isl to learn of the condition of his
sense of touch. DR.. Jones objected to the
use of the last named instrument, saying
that the best way OF ascertaining the sense
IF touch was to tickle the patient on the
end of the nose with the ends of few male
hairs He was finally allowed to make the
test, which proved an 9sthesiometer, a
sphygmograph and dyamometer combined,
for the same instant it was applied the
the doctor lay on the floor insensible. The
patient had touched him with the bunched
end of his right arm.
At 10 A. M-The patient experiences a
kind of goneness in the stomach. He pro-
posed to walk out in the open air, but DR..
Keener, being too keen for him, objected,
Oh the ground that person fasting so long
could receive nourishment from the air;
else how do the spirits live? Patient didn't
walk
At 1890 A. M.-Here the fasting mans
wife made her appearance, and wanted to
know if they wouldn't allow him just a
quart of beer only. She was refused;
whereat she became greatly alarmed, and
said she knew he would die, and that she
did not want dead man for a husband.
At II A. M.-TOngue little unnormal,
presenting a somewhat parched surface,
and patient splitting cotton. A few ounces
of water was suggested, but the irate faster
threatened to whip any man who would
offer him water-"never drank the stuff
and wouldn't begin now."
At 11:3O A. M.-Stomach filling upwith
goneness, but its pulsations are tolerably
normal. The patient wants to kick out a
physician who doubts that the has tasted
since morning.
At 11:45 A. M.-Dr. Phythian pronoun-
ees the patients case most critical one
but the latter exhibited greatnormal nerve,
and says he feels just as well as ever, but
a little thirsty, having been accustomed to
take lunch at 10 o'clock. He takes a
long walk about the room.
p. S.-A letter from George Francis
Train has just been received, telling the
patient for Gods sake to cease not eating
any longer; that he has already gained a
victory; but the latter sends him word back
to 60