_ was
called in consultation, owing to my many desires to die (as life
had no sunshine, flowers, or music for me); I was simply living
a living death of torture which these professors would have were
illusions. My parents were then informed that I must be sent to
an asylum, where I was for ten long weeks. _They_ also told me
that my feelings were illusions, and proceeded to banish the
same by giving the _tired-out nerves a little rest_ and _plenty
of nourishment_ on a _five-meal_ plan per day. If refused (owing
to a loss of appetite), I was threatened to have nature helped
by the aid of a stomach or nasal tube. I lost none of my
illusions while there, as I could not feel any improvement in my
feelings. I left the institution June 28, 1899, feeling no
better; in fact, worse than when I arrived there. I was then
taken from one doctor to another, the one wishing to operate,
the other not; one advising me to go to the seashore, country,
etc., but _none_ to give my stomach the needed vacation.

"'It was then that my friend, Mr. Ritter, stepped in, as he saw
the failures of professors and specialists, and begged my
parents to let him have a chance to demonstrate what Dr. Dewey's
method would do for melancholy illusions and tired-out stomachs
and nerves. I then went to friends, and, in entire ignorance of
my parents, began under directions of Mr. Ritter the most
natural, sensible, and cheapest of all cures. I began my fast on
Oct. 3, and broke the same on Nov. 16. During the first week of
my fast I was in bed; during the second (excepting the eleventh
day, when I took my first walk of seven-eighths of a mile) I was
in bed, in rocker, reading, etc. On the twentieth day, after a
drive of three hours, went to church, walking two and
one-sixteenth miles. I then stayed indoors again on the
twenty-first and twenty-second days, and then started taking
daily walks (weather permitting). I went out walking
twenty-three out of the forty-five days of my fast, and during
that time walked one hundred and twelve miles. This was besides
the carriage-drives, Exposition, and evening gatherings (walking
to same included). I did not in the least feel tired or weak,
but happier and brighter each day of the fast, as I could feel
the effects of a new life throughout my whole body. My mind also
beca