Succi, the Faster.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 449, 3 May 1890, Page 3

Succi, the Faster.

A secent cablegram said that Succi, the Italian faster, intended disclosing the secret of his being able to go so long with food. In 1888 an interviewer called upon Succi, whom he described as thirty-four years of age, of medium stature, broad chest, hard features, keen eyas, pale cheeks, high forehead, with bushy black moustache and abundant curly hair. “ Well, and how have you been since your experiment in Milan ?” “In excellent health. lam getting stouter and stouter every day. lam now about my normal weight. My appetite is first-class. Don't imagine that it is either out of pleasure or speculation that I am going to renew my fast in Paris. I want the world to know that

I am not a charlatan, that my liquor is destined to render the greatest service to humanity, and that my discovery will open a new path in science, I leave the Faculty of Paris to judge whether I am a lunatic or not." "How and when did you discover your wonderful elexir ?" “It was during my travels in Africa some time ago. I was seized with fever. I could eat nothing. I tried all kinds of remedies, but in vain. Suddenly by chance I bit upon a sugary plant. I partook of it, and my fever disappeared. The extract enabled me to fast during the remainder of my journey. Thus in Nubia I lived sixty days on sixty grammes (about two ounces) of the liquor. I tried the experiment again in Cairo, and succeeded. Already the report had spread that a marvellous liquid bad been found by an Italian while in the desert. I thought it prudent to leave, for the Egyptians have a superstitious opposition to extraordinary things. On returning to Italy I went to Rome. I had scarcely arrived in the Eternal City when I was arrested and thrown into prison as a lunatic. How to escape? The plan was simple enough. I declared that I had told a falsehood, and had discovered nothing at all. I was set free, and, after simulating a departure for Africa, I repaired to my own village to rest awhile, Once there I proceeded to prepare myself for the thirty days’ fast, which I determined to make public. Having completed my preparations I started for Milan. What followed must be fresh in all memories. My experiment was a complete success, I never for a moment ceased my ordinary occupations. I rode on horseback, walked daily four miles in three-quarters of an hour, and performed various other hard exercises.” “ But if you happened to die during your new experiment your secret would be lost to the world." “ No; I have arranged for that. I have confided to three persons, all strangers to one another, three different packets. They would meet together after my death and disclose the secret.” “ What do you propose to do in Paris during your fast.” “ I shall do as I did in Milan; I shall go through all kinds of arduous trials and exercises. I shall even do more : on the thirtieth day of my fast I engage to walk more than twelve miles in military uniform, with knapsack, rifle, and the rest."

‘■‘What difference do you see between Merlatti and yourself ?” “ The object we aim at is by no means the same. Merlatti wants to prove that he can remain fifty days without eating. But Merlatti, like Tanner, is a person of exceptional constitution. I fully believe be can do what he proposes, but you could not. As regards myself, I contend that with my liquor everybody can live without eating. You, or anybody else, can do as I do. So you see that Merlatti and myself are not rivals in any way. We do not prove the same thing. Doctor Mareohal does not believe in my liquid. I shall be happy to prove to him that it exists, and is efficacious. A committee of doctors will keep watch over me. and the experiment will be just as serious as that of Merlatti. I shall swallow sixty grammes of my elixir on the eve of my fast, and from that moment everybody may come and ace that I absorb (nothing of any kind during the period fixed on.”