The result of the Vienna experiment is bound to cast
suspicion on all previous fasting accomplishments of Signor
Succi, if not upon those of his predecessors."
Although all these modern fasters have been accused of being
jugglers and deceivers, throughout their fasts they showed
constant decrease in weight, and inspection by visitors was
welcomed at all times. They invariably invited medical attention,
and some were under the closest surveillance; although we may not
implicitly believe that the fasts were in every respect bona
fide, yet we must acknowledge that these men displayed great
endurance in their apparent indifference for food, the
deprivation of which in a normal individual for one day only
causes intense suffering.
Anomalies of Temperature.--In reviewing the reports of the
highest recorded temperatures of the human body, it must be
remembered that no matter how good the evidence or how authentic
the reference there is always chance for malingering. It is
possible to send the index of an ordinary thermometer up to the
top in ten or fifteen seconds by rubbing it between the slightly
moistened thumb and the finger, exerting considerable pressure at
the time. There are several other means of artificially producing
enormous temperatures with little risk of detection, and as the
sensitiveness of the thermometer becomes greater the easier is
the deception.
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