DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0073
EFFECTS OF LONG ABSTINENCE.
57
In this regimen he persisted sixty days without varia-
tion. During the last ten days, his strength rapidly de-
creased, and at length, finding himself unable to rise
from his bed, he began to be alarmed. Before this pe-
riod he had flattered himself that he was supported by a
supernatural power ; and his imagination was filled with
the idea, that some great event would follow this extraor-
dinary abstinence. But his delusion vanished, and he
found himself becoming gradually weaker, and sinking
fast to the grave.
His friends, who had, by this time, discovered his re-
treat, prevailed upon him to admit the visits of a respect-
able clergyman, who convinced him of the fallacy of his
visionary ideas, and with some difficulty obtained his con-
sent to any plan that might be deemed conducive to his
recovery.
On the 23d of March 1786, which was the sixty-first
day of his fast, Dr. Willan was called in and consulted
on this extraordinary case. The doctor found him re-
duced to the last stage of debility. His whole appear-
ance, he says, suggested the idea of a skeleton, prepared
by drying the muscles upon it, in their natural situation.
His eyes were not deficient of lustre; his voice was sound
and clear, notwithstanding his general weakness, but at-
tended with great imbecility of mind.
In his retirement he had commenced the arduous task
of copying the Bible in short-hand, with the contents
prefixed to each chapter. He shewed the doctor the
work executed nearly to the second book of Kings, and
likewise explained to him several improvements he had
made in short-hand writing. Between the 23d and the
28th of March, he was so far recovered, that he could
with ease walk across the room ; but on the 29th he lost
his recollection, and on the 9th of April, nature being en-
tirely exhausted, he expired.
Eccentric, No. II. i Dr.
57
In this regimen he persisted sixty days without varia-
tion. During the last ten days, his strength rapidly de-
creased, and at length, finding himself unable to rise
from his bed, he began to be alarmed. Before this pe-
riod he had flattered himself that he was supported by a
supernatural power ; and his imagination was filled with
the idea, that some great event would follow this extraor-
dinary abstinence. But his delusion vanished, and he
found himself becoming gradually weaker, and sinking
fast to the grave.
His friends, who had, by this time, discovered his re-
treat, prevailed upon him to admit the visits of a respect-
able clergyman, who convinced him of the fallacy of his
visionary ideas, and with some difficulty obtained his con-
sent to any plan that might be deemed conducive to his
recovery.
On the 23d of March 1786, which was the sixty-first
day of his fast, Dr. Willan was called in and consulted
on this extraordinary case. The doctor found him re-
duced to the last stage of debility. His whole appear-
ance, he says, suggested the idea of a skeleton, prepared
by drying the muscles upon it, in their natural situation.
His eyes were not deficient of lustre; his voice was sound
and clear, notwithstanding his general weakness, but at-
tended with great imbecility of mind.
In his retirement he had commenced the arduous task
of copying the Bible in short-hand, with the contents
prefixed to each chapter. He shewed the doctor the
work executed nearly to the second book of Kings, and
likewise explained to him several improvements he had
made in short-hand writing. Between the 23d and the
28th of March, he was so far recovered, that he could
with ease walk across the room ; but on the 29th he lost
his recollection, and on the 9th of April, nature being en-
tirely exhausted, he expired.
Eccentric, No. II. i Dr.