The compelling cause that led to the second fast lay in the organic condition, later discovered, that had progressed to the point that the digestive function became inoperative. Morbid degeneration of the liver must have existed for some time previous to the beginning of abstinence, for from the first day of the fast black bilious discharge in quantity discolored the fluid of the enemas. The condition gradually became so aggravated that the thought of food tended to produce nausea, while its odor and even the perfume of flowers could not be borne. Organic defect had without doubt been present when the first fast took place, for its symptoms were noted at that time, but the organs affected, recuperated to a degree by their enforced rest and assisted by general systemic purification, were enabled to continue partial functioning for some months longer.

In the second fast pulse and temperature rose above normal register several points each day, but fell to average standard after the internal bath, which in this case was administered twice daily.

As in the previous case pregnancy of some months complicated conditions. On the fifty-first day of abstinence it was discovered that contractions of the uterus were occurring, and in a short while, with some manual assistance, a dead, misshapen fetus was delivered with little or no distress or pain. General relief was immediate, and it was so pronounced as to inspire the family with hope of ultimate recovery; but the improvement was succeeded by a decline in vitality that ended in the death of the patient.

During the latter days of this fast hiccoughs in severe form were present, and there was some vomiting of blackish bile. It was useless to attempt feeding at any stage of the fast, for, from the first, the stomach refused even water, and the only manner in which the fluids of the body were renewed was through absorption from the baths, both external and internal.

Post mortem findings follow. The liver was so degenerated that but little functioning could have occurred for many days; the gall sac was at least four times its normal in size and contained foul, black, bilious fluid; the kidneys were hypertrophied or enlarged, and pocketed with pus; the pancreas was so hardened in texture as to resist the knife; the spleen was degenerated to the degree that the organ was held together merely by its surrounding membrane; the small intestines were normal in size, condition, and position, as was the colon, excepting that the transverse portion of the latter organ had suffered malposition and in portions was no larger in diameter than the adult thumb; the right ovary contained a cyst filled with fluid, while the right fallopian tube was bent twice upon itself; the left ovary was in an atrophic or wasted state and was no larger than a lima bean in size; the heart and the lungs were normal.

Case 5 is that of a young man of twenty-five who had been syphilitically infected five years before death, and who had had his symptoms treated by medical practitioners and by advertising quacks. At the time of consultation syphilitic sores still remained, and other evidences of the blood taint were present. There was a loss of mental control that necessitated constant attendance of a nurse. About six months before death a fast of twenty-eight days was undertaken and successfully finished. At its completion the syphilitic sores had entirely disappeared, and relief in general was such that the patient was enabled to dispense with his attendant and to care for himself. But several months later signs of serious organic breakdown, including loss of mental control, again were apparent. One of the symptoms noted was that of copious discharge of watery mucus from the nasal passages and throat, together with constant, profuse exudation of sweat about the face and head. The latter symptom was present in such degree that the hair of the patient dripped moisture continuously and his pillow needed change every hour. Considerable solid feces and catarrhal mucus appeared in the enemas, and for a month before death speech was impossible and no function could be performed without assistance. No food was given during the last nineteen days of life.

Post mortem findings showed a brain, the right hemisphere of which was much degenerated and pus laden; the left hemisphere was structurally normal; the right jugular vein was occluded with a whitish deposit, not analyzed; the heart was normal; the right lung was in a state of embolism, and was virtually a mass of clotted blood, useless for its purposes; the left lung was normal; the liver was partially degenerated. In this case no abnormality existed throughout the length of the alimentary canal, and the kidneys, pancreas, and spleen were in condition that presumed ability to function.

Case 6, that of a man forty-six years of age, presents a history of constant disease with intermittent acute crises. As the result of an accident in childhood, by which the subject was injured internally, both youth and early manhood were punctuated with a succession of severe illnesses, which were treated in orthodox: without permanent relief. About fifteen years before death the patient abandoned medicine and turned to natural therapeutics, with the result that the first lengthy relief from physical distress was obtained. Three years before he died, acute disease again appeared, and, because of uncongenial but unavoidable environment, medical treatment was resorted to for a short time, again without benefit. Reverted to in finality, the fast and its accompaniments succeeded in relieving conditions to the extent that the patient was enabled to resume his wonted work. Although he suffered at intervals from this time on, there was no return of acute distress until the month preceding death, when, after somewhat strenuous exercise followed by a heavy meal, severe intestinal pains developed. For thirty days no food was given, the stomach rejecting even water, and at the end of the period named, virtually in constant pain the while, the patient died.

Post mortem examination showed an organic condition that was most abnormal. The lungs were adherent to the walls of the pleural cavity and to the diaphragm; the heart was slightly enl arged but functionally capable; the stomach was dilated and prolapsed; the gall sac was divided into three distinct pouches, two of which were filled with a total of one hundred and twenty-six stones, ranging in size from that of a pea to one four inches in circumference; the small intestines were collapsed and midway in their lower portion were intussuscepted so that two yards of their length were telescoped into but five inches, and here the diameter of lumen was only one-quarter of an inch; all of the small intestines were below normal in size; the transverse colon lay in front of the descending part of the bowel, an abnormality which largely increased the labor of disposing of body waste; the ascending and descending portions of the colon were lacking in development and were cirrhosed or hardened in structure; the sigmoid bend and the rectum were of diameter not to exceed that of an adult thumb, and were in an advanced state of cirrhosis; the liver, the pancreas, and the spleen all exhibited partial atrophy; brain and nerve centers showed no signs of deterioration.