FASTING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160812, 20 November 1920, Page 4

FASTING.

In referring a day or two ago to the Cork hunger-strikers, who have resumed eating after abstaining from food for 94 days, we mentioned the fact that a 40-days’ fast was a not uncommon occurrence, and that a well-known local resident had been cured of a disease after undergoing a fast for over fifty days. We have befork us as we write a copy of Dr. Irving J. Bales’ illustrated book on “Healthology,” in which many authenticated cases of long fasts are given. Thomas Morrln, engineer, San Francisco, cured his dyspepsia by a fast of forty days; Arthur Van Meter, of Salt Lake City, was cured of dropsy, after a forty-day fast; D. R. Wilcox, a hopeless case of dyspepsia, was cured by a sixty days’ fast at Fairfax; and Dr. A. M. Edison, of Topeka, Kansas, reports the cure of a worn-out stomach by a fifty-one days’ fast. These cases, says the author,- can be multiplied at length. 1 The record of the longest and most remarkable fast the world has any knowledge of comes from Santa Paula, Brazil, where a young girl, seventeen years of age, fasted for the cure of epilepsy. The physisian who had the care of her was greatly puzzled over the case, as well he might he. She fasted two months, and was then drugged with sulphate of quinine, iron and gentian. With this medication she took coffee and twice a day. Some time after she commenced a long fast, and after going three months without food she asked for a mango; but, after a moment’s hesitation, instead of eating it she threw it away. She continued her fast for some weeks after, and persistently refused to take food, though strongly urged to do so by her relatives. It is claimed by Dr. Robert Walter in his book. The 'Exact Science of Health,” that no u'datment ever invented fulfils so many indications for restoration of health as fasting does, and that thete can he no death from starvation Until the body is reduced to the skeleton conu-aon. Starvation is a matter‘Qf months, a period beyond the average time of recovery from acute disease. As a means of promoting improving nutrition, facllitlting excretion, recuperating (vital power, and restoring vital vigoujl lasting,, has no competitor.** I