FASTING AS A CURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13602, 22 November 1907, Page 7

FASTING AS A CURE.

v THE WANGANUI CASES.

SOME : FURTHER PARTICULARS. Mr. Lloyd Jones, of Wnnganui, sends us the. following communication: — ....... ." "I notice that Dr. Bukewell and other medical men in Auckland have been commenting adversely on the fasts that have recently taken place in Wanganui. I do not understand why the doctors have read into ' fasting' abstention from water. The dictionary meaning of fasting is 'abstaining from food,' and that is the sense in which the word is to be applied to the Wanganui '.'asters. They do take water, and sometimes have lemon-juice in it. As to the genuineness, of the fasts 1 am perfectly satisfied, but in the nature of things fasting cannot be proved. I can only speak positively of my own. I have done many fasts. The longest- was only 10 days, but that showed' mo that it was quite possible to fast for very much longer, and 1 fully believe Mr, Clark when he says lie fasted 26 days, and Mr. Mowat.'when he says he fasted 24 days, and so on. The Auckland doctor who fails to see the advantage of these 'demonstrations' is quite mistaken in taking the fasts to be 'demonstrations.' They are serious and successful efforts to get rid of disease, and have been undertaken in accordance with the teaching of Dr. Dewey, of MeadvUle, U.S.The publicity which the matter has obtained was not sought by the parties, but they are quite willing that their experience should be made known for the benefit of the sufferers.

"The benefit of long fasting was first discovered in modern times by. Dr. Tanner, who has often been quoted as a ' fasting man,' bub few persons have any idea of why he fasted. In a letter dated August 29, 1905, addressed to Mr. C. C. Haskell, of Norwich, Conn., U.S.A., Dr. Tanner iays:—

Hie task you have *et me, to slide in £00 words my x l, appreciation of, facing a* a means of prevention and cure.of Ui«eu*e, i* one of magnitude surely. I feel how utterly* imuk<ieate are words to express tile grateful emotions <•: my heart, even with unlimited latitude to oiiifiie ami poti. The theme is one in which language in impoverished, all human dtucription tails, ami the Hie of eloquence in in eclipse. Still I am reminded that it i* not for me to despise the day of small thinx*. The linking* Hint. I have received from the inexpensive ami al,soltitely sale method of procedure (I .inaugurated to relieve myself of disabilities alter lieiiisr itbaii- ',,",. '•'' a " utterly hopflw* case bv seven M.l). ». iii which eoiitcnaiu of opinion* I eon(Mined), 1 feel were not bestowed upon inc. to he .seltlahly appropriated to my own une, but to *' • proclaimed from Hie liotuetopx" to jiernon* in like affliction and need, that- there i* a "Balm in (Jilea.r for all who will avail thetucelvni of the.knowledge- which 1 have sweiued. when all other means i, a d failed, I can say in all «ineerily thai in my own and hundreds of other cafe* that ltnve come to mv knowledge fasting afforded permanent relief. Kheumati«m of an aggravated character, followed bv heart, rlieumat ism, Wiss the diagnosis of liiy'eaa' bv immv reputable physicians, and not a rav of .hope from ".'"'. ','•'- the, "- fmler the circumstances I felt list life was not worth the living, Mint the call to come higher up" would have been welcomed at any moment. Atlhina of a veiv distrnwliiK I'liaraetcr prevented sleep in a recumbent position. I had learned in the schools that a 10 days abstinence from fund \\r>* ihe limit of human endurance. Weary of life'! entered "up. my first- las; in Minneapolis in 1877, in the »«. sttiaiici- that 1 would in a lew davs -reach n repose of mind and body that 1 could viekl up all rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinew without regret or rebellion: I entered upon the task more cheerily and less tardilv than I undertake to say all that mv heart prompts in the prescribed limit* of this endorsement of facing for all the iits nY-h U heir to. To mv tinbounded sin prise I found every day I abstained from food J approximated nearer to th* vigour of my youth. On the tilth day I could lie down and rest. On the eleventh <lav 1 nought mv conch in » reclining position, and. to mv profound surprise, on awakening the next morning the sun was well up towards the zenith of its jrlotv. Mv freedom iiom the condition* mentioned" I attributed largely to a radical change in mv dietary. .|!y abstaining from all fle*h food*, tea. coffee., tobacco, am! stimulants in auv form or am- dUguise I see no obstante m thy wav of. reaching the century mark. I'm now. To, vewiSj .wuiijr. After my recovery* I ■ entered upon "the ' investigation -of the Unify of disease ' and the c.iiise<|tie;it unity of cure," and as the" result of' 1 what my eye* have seen admiration of this '20th century truism bus daily grown upon me. How , could it. be otherwise when 1 found myself in : )KK«rMioii of proofs, overwhelming in their positivcriesj. and what wonder, after convincing myself that inordinate eating is the prima t-imae m 90 per cent, of all . form* of di«ea.-e.' that 1 i should find myself in possession ol a theotv of disease and means of cine baring a tinner i>asi« than mere conjecture, aufl with developed power* of scientific vision, and new and glorious UrUU of usefulness opening b(;f.«te rue. diUlcitni to > make every lover «>l the race Jubilant !

. "The present movement for ilia reform of the health of the whole community by establishing better eating and drinking habits, and the cure ot disease bv long fustins,', owes its origin to Dr. E. 11. Dewey, before mentioned. He used it in his practice for 20 years before it became much known outside Meadville. Thirteen years years ago Mr. C. C. Haskell, of Norwich, Conn., who was almost at dentil's door, heard of Dr. Dewey's treatment, and applied it to himself, with such success that be. attained 'perfect health.' He describes ins condition before adopting Dr. Dewey's system n.s ' broken down completely. The best '•'.■ medical talent gave no hope' of my recovery.- 1 was a prematurely old, worn- , out man. I had the use of only one lung, my nervous system was a complete wreck, and many other physical and mental disabilities troubled me.' Mr. Haskell's re- ; covery, led to his persuading Dr. Dewey to : write the book "The True Science of Living,' so that the teaching might be given out to th-» world. About five years later Mr. Haskell wrote himself the book ' Perfect Health, How to Get it and How to Keep it, by One Who Has It,' in which lie relates his own experience, and summarises, and explains Dr. Dewey's system, In this book there are a large number of letters from' persons" in various conditions of life, recording their cures from all sorts "of diseases. In addition there are letters from no less than 16 other doctors, approving of Dr. Dewey's system, and expressing gratitude for iti having been brought under their notice. 1 quote the following extracts from these:—Dr. Land, of New York, says: 'In fact I have yet to meet a case in the treatment of which it has not proved helpful, and I am more than ever convinced that >'ts power to Ileal has no limit.' Dr. Davis, of Springfield, Mass., says: 'My book has been loaned far and wide among patients and friends, and many converts made to the great and priceless physiological discovery, which is destined to do so much for suffering humanity." Dr. Densmore, of New York, says: 'Dr. Dewey has written an epochmaking book. It is now two months since I first caught sight of this invaluable guide, and it lias been to me of very great bene—a prize that is priceless.' Dr.'B. B. Perkins, of Philadelphia, says: ' It impressed me .as the most important announcement made to the world,' since the angels proclaimed the birth of Christ.' Dr. C. H. Shephard, of Brooklyn, N.Y., writing to Mr. Haskell, says: 'Permit me to say a word as to the progressive work you are doing in publishing such books as 'True Science of Living,' 'Perfect Health,' etc. They will largely help the community toward realising that higher life which is coming to mankind, by teaching how to order their daily habits, so as to secure that life now to every individual.' Later on in the book Mr. Haskell gives accounts of a number of long fasts, ranging up to 50 days, undertaken with success, lor the cure of many forms of disease. On this subject Dr. Marwin E. Conger, of Chicago, says: 'If it is absolutely possible; to have an infallible cure, it may be found in a perfect fast. To stop eating, to rest, relax, and cleanse the. body (inside and out) with pure water, will come nearer a perfect cure for all humanity than, any other one method under' the shining sun.'' Since ' The True Science of Living,' Dr. Dewey has written The No. Breakfast Plan and the Fasting Cure.' In this he records many long fasts, and shows pictures of the fasters. Some of the fasts are recorded in great detail, among which are: Mr. M'iltou Kathbun, two fusts of 28 and .35 days; Mr. Leonard Thress. 50 days; Miss Kuenzel, 45 days; and Miss Westing 42 days. - Many others are mentioned, the longest being 60 days. In all these cases the patients were cured by the fasting, some of them of so-called 'incurable diseases.' Mr. J. Austin Shaw, of New York, a well-known journalist, has .written a book' called ' The Best Thing in the World.' In this he records a daily diary of a 45-day fast, during which he kept about his work all the time. He says.

1 ' I experienced no weakness nor weariness ; I took all the 'regular exercises and bathing daily. My duties took up from 12 to 18 hours of every day. I believe anyone who understands 'the philosophy of torting can endure a similar experience with safety and benefit.' Mr. Bernarr M'cFadden, a wellknown physical culturist and writer; in his book, 'Strength from Eating,' strongly advocates fasting as a means of' increasing strength and restoring health. The gist of Dr. Dewey's teaching is that those who will adopt the no breakfast plan can cure themselves of all minor ailments, and enjoy permanent good health. For those, who are sick, he would prescribe absolute fasting until health returns, and he says that unless the patient is so near the end that nothing can save him, nature will in all cases etfect a cure. Since Dr. Dewey's books were written, Mr, Haskell has pushed and spread the 'new gospel' until today it is more or less known m most parts of the world. Of course, like the old gospel, it meets with keen opposition. It is contrary to all our previous habits of thought, and seems unbelievable, bin, it is slowjy spreading, and the day will yet come when it will be universally acknowledged as. the only path to perfect'health.. :

. "Ainoug the Wanganui "faster* is Mr. Edward Araui, a well-known Maori chief. He is to-day on the 31st day of a. fast, undertaken for dropsy, obesity, indigestion, and several other ailments. His case is very like.that of Mr. Leonard Th'ress, described in Dr. Dewey's ' No Breakfast Plan.'., Mr. Threw is there described as 'Willi' dropsy, hopelessly given up to a. speedy death by the many phvsiciiins lie had vainly sought for'relief. His weight was 2091b. His limbs were at the bursting point, and the water close up to the top of his chest. He could not lie down, nor even lav his head back without choking, and to'walk across the. room completely exhausted him.' During tin? fast he reduced his weight by 751b, but he gained strength so much that tit the 12th day he walked balf-a-mile. and on 22 other days he walked from two to four miles. At the close of the fast Mr. Thress was completely cured. Mr. Aram's ease closely resembles"this, though he thinks he was much worse than Mr. Thress—certainly,- he weighed 1121b more. During tlie 30 days' last his weight has decreased by 431b, and he is quite satisfied that he is well on the way to a cure. It is im>. possible to foresee" how long it may take," but, judging from the cases recorded, I should not be surprised if it required 60 or 70 days to complete a cure. In one of Mr. Haskell's recent letters lie tells me of a case that took 80 days. This was a Dr. Fades, who is now writing a book oh the subject. •

"Now, in (he face of all this evidence,'it is no use Auckland doctors saving they do. not believe that the lasts .have been done. These persons are not all liars, and they have not entered into a conspiracy-to deceive the public. The only object of pub-.., licifv is to make the matter known to sufferers. The truth of th« Xew Gospel has been fully proved in Wanganui, and it is gradually spreading throughout New Zealand. I send you some leaflets on the subject, which I commend to your perusal, and should be glad if you would hand .some to the doctors who were interviewed. 1 am. posting Kiine tu Dr. Bakewell, but I do not know the names of the others. I would suggest that if they will rend Dr. Dewey's, Mr. Haskell's, and Mr. Shaw's. books they will find reasons for altering their opinions about fasting in the cure of, disease. lam firmly convinced that this, cure will gradually .sjitcad, and it would be much better to have it. conducted uml.'r medical supervision, than for sufferers toact for themselves as at present. In America a large number of doctors'practise > the fasting cure. In a letter just to hand- ! front Mr. Haskell, he says, ' I. have reee-titlw received a letter 110111' Dr. Haggard, of ; Seattle, Wash., telling me of the wonder- ' ful cure through fasting of several patient?;, that were counted as incurable, one insane., one an epileptic, and two others, having what is called incurable diseases. .Dr. Haggard is one of the ablest physicians in this country, and has been practising theeuro of disease through absolute fasting for more than 10 years. " The doctor received, the first light through our book, 'The True Science of Living* by Dr. Dewey.'' ,_,_,< In a later letter .Mr. Jones writes ;4si " When i wrote you on ill's 16th I had Hot scon Dr. Jiakewell's letter to you, in your" issue of 15th. 1 think lie is unnecessarily offensive in his suggestions of fraud and falsehood/in the Wanganui fasting casts. The evidence of a person who has seen a thing done, or says he has done it, is better than the evidence of 20 persons who' say they have not seen the thing done', and do not believe if possible. It matters very little whether Dr. Bake.well believes in the truth and possibility of these fasts, but it does matter a good deal whether his writings will frighten some persons"' from embracing a sure and certain method of health reform. It. may be quite 'tree' that prolonged fasting contradicts all the teachings of science, but it is not the first lime that, the teachings of science have been found to be wrong. The science of its day once maintained that'.the "earth was flat. I can assure Dr. Bakewell from my own knowledge that tit all events a fust. of 10 days is no miracle, and 1 can, also assure him that if lie will essay to prove, the matter for himself he will end by agreeing with me. Let him try a fast' of two or three days. There could be no possible danger about it. Food would always be within reach, and starvation is a gradual process, not a sudden one. Tie would then find that he could do a. longer fast with safety. There is one. important factor in connection with fasting that has not yet been mentioned, and that is the operation of the mind. Persons who die of so-called 'starvation' do not die because of the absence of food, but because of fear. Wo have all been trained in the thought that' three meals a day are an absolute necessity, and that a. few days' abstinence from food would, cause death. The result is that if a person is accidentally deprived of food for much beyond the' ordinary time lie fancies himself weak, and, owing to the feiir in his mind, actually becomes weak and dies. Those who have learnt better would not, the tinder such circumstances, and would suffer little or no inconvenience, always provided water were obtainable. I would strongly urge Dr. Bakewell to read Dr. Dewey's, Mi-. Haskell's, and Mr. Shaw's books. There is an amount of testimony in them that surely must appeal' to him, and lead him to think that his previous beliefs may have been wrong. I grant that until one has read these books long fasting, owing to our previous teaching on the subject, does seem unbelievable. When 1 first read the books I had difficulty in believing them, but after a while I put the matter to the test, and I found that the new teaching was true. I have no hesitation in saying that had I been as sceptical as Dr. Bakewell, I should have lost the best thing that has ever come into my life. Mr. Mowat and Mr. Clark thoroughly endorse this statement, as regards themselves.. What possible object is there for fraud or deception? We are not professional fosters. . We have merely fasted for our own benefit, and having fonnd what wonderful benefits. are to be obtained by tlus simple and easy means, we are only anxious that other sufferers should know about it. Otherwise the matter would never have been mentioned. Mr. Clark was suffering from nervous prostration, which his doctors told him would take at least two years to cure. Of course Dr. Bakewell is aware that nervous prostration often does require a much longer time than two years. If he does not believe in Mr. Clark's fast, how would he account for his complete restoration ' to health in 26 days? Since this discussion eommencecLl have received many letters from all part's of New Zealand, asking for information as to the Dewey fasting system. This shows that there are many persons seeking health which they cannot find. According to. the teachings of the books on the subject, it is waiting.for all of them if they will only adopt' True Scientific Living,' and I firmly believe that to be true." ,< ;