The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-30
SHE TASTED As DAYS
Victim of MeIanchoIia Re-
stored to Health.
Drank Hot Water and Lemonade Occasionally
in Response to Natural Calls For
Food and Drink.
(St. Louis Republic. J

Philadelphia, Dee. pa handsome
young woman, who spent several months
in the Friends Asylum for the Insane
at Frankfort. wretched victim of
mclancholia, has apparently been re-
stored to excellent health, mentally and
physically, after Il fast of forty-five days
according to the statements of the wo-
man and friends who were with her
almost constantly during that period.
The lady was seen only on condition
chat her name should not be used. Her
parents are well-to-do Miss Il, as
she will be called, was student sevc-
raj years ago i'll the Drexel Institute
and was an apt pupil. After being
graduated, she secured lucrative em-
ployment in Il Chestnut street millinery
establishment. There her hours We're
long and the work was eXacting.
Two years ago Miss KS health be-
came impaired. She developed marked
symptoms of melanchola with suicidal
intentions. Eminent specialists were
consulted without satisfactory results
Finally, on the recommendation of tw,
physicians. connected with one of the
leading colleges of Philadelphia. il was
decided to send Miss X to the Friends
Asylum for the Insane. She was taken
there ON April 20.
AT the asylum. she was visited among
others, by Mr.. Henry Ritter, friend
of the family. who is director of the
Photographic department of the Drexei
Institute. He built up his own digestive
organs by following the directions laid
down by Doctor Dewey physician of
Mendville, Pa. Mr.. Ritter had become
Il student and advocate of that physi-
clans theory. which was that no food
should be given to a patient except in
response TO natural call for il.
Mr.. Ritter prevailed upon her parents
to permit him 10 have her placed in the
home of friend at Wayne Junction
On June % she left the asylum. went
to her friends house. accompanied by Il
nurse, and received the treatment of
several physicians until October .. when
the attendant was discharged and Mr.
Ritter assumed personal charge OF the
case. On that day. at the supper table.
Miss *. ate the last meal until she
broke her fast on November I6. On
October ) the woman was put to bed.
Mr. Ritter said. to prolong the rest her
whole system needed. There she was
kept eleven days with an occasional day
when she walked mile without fatigue,
and sat in a rocking chair. Up to this
time Miss X. drank three cups of hot
water daily. her only nourishment.
Then she had a craving for salt her
ring This was appeaSed by a cup of
brackish mineral water. Several times
IN the next few weeks, when this craving
returned, the woman. was given drink
of lemonade. AT intervals until the
forty-iifth day Miss *. partook sparingIy
seven times of orange water rice. Hot
water she drank daily until the fast was
broken
Mr.. Ritter and Miss X. beth declared
that during the fast the only beverages
of which she partook were those men
toned. a numb feeling of which she had
complained as affecting her internal or
gans and which has been ascribed to hen
illusions. left her and she appeared to
gain daily IN strength and brightness.
From the twenty-third day she took
walks daily, excepting on October 81 and
November 3, when rain prevented. She
walked several miles a day, with no sign
Of fatigue. On the morning of the forty
fifth day Miss *. broke the fast by eat
ing a poached egg and two slices of but
tered whole wheat toasted bread.
During her fast she says, she was seen
by seven physicians, President MdAllis-
ter and professors Of the DreXel lnSti
tute and many others Miss X. welghef
40 pounds ON October 3. -Four days
ago her weight was 1902 pounds, whicl
she considers normal.