Henry S. Tanner (doctor)

American physician known for fasting experiments

Henry S. Tanner (1831–1918) was an American physician renowned for his experiments with prolonged fasting. His work in the late 19th century challenged contemporary medical beliefs about human endurance and nutrition.

Early Life and Education

Henry S. Tanner was born in 1831. Details about his early life and education are sparse, but it is known that he pursued a career in medicine, eventually becoming a physician. His interest in the limits of human endurance and nutrition led him to conduct experiments that would later gain significant attention.

Fasting Experiments

Henry S. Tanner after 14 days of his 40-day fast

Tanner is best known for his 40-day fasting experiment conducted in 1880 in New York City. At the time, the prevailing medical opinion was that humans could not survive without food for more than a few days. Tanner sought to challenge this belief by demonstrating that the human body could endure much longer periods of fasting.

The experiment took place at the Clarendon Hotel in New York, where Tanner was observed by a team of physicians and journalists to ensure the authenticity of his fast. During the 40 days, Tanner consumed only water, and his health was closely monitored. The fast attracted significant public attention, with many people visiting the hotel to witness the event.

Impact and Legacy

Tanner's successful completion of the 40-day fast had a profound impact on the medical community and public perceptions of fasting. It challenged existing beliefs about human physiology and nutrition, prompting further research into the effects of fasting on the body.

Tanner's work also influenced the development of therapeutic fasting as a treatment for various medical conditions. His experiments demonstrated that fasting could be conducted safely under controlled conditions, paving the way for future studies on the health benefits of fasting.

Later Life

After his famous fasting experiment, Tanner continued to practice medicine and advocate for the therapeutic benefits of fasting. He wrote about his experiences and the potential health benefits of fasting, contributing to the growing interest in alternative medical practices during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Tanner passed away in 1918, leaving behind a legacy of challenging medical conventions and expanding the understanding of human endurance.

Related Pages

• Fasting
• Human nutrition
• History of medicine