While the period stated may serve as a maximum limit to which life may be extended in acute starvation, there are circumstances which must be considered as modifying this.
Body Condition.—It need hardly be stated that the individual in perfect health can sustain complete inanition longer than the enfeebled or diseased. The presence or absence of fat modifies considerably the power of endurance.
Age.—Infants bear starvation badly and succumb more quickly than the adult. The aged, while they bear a moderate amount of food better than the young adult, do not endure a complete deprivation for so long a time.
Cold.—The depressing influence of cold upon the vital functions, especially in the young and feeble, renders it a powerful factor in shortening the duration of life in starvation.
The Supply of Water.—When all food is withheld, free use of water as a drink tends to increase the length of the interval before death. In several cases of protracted fasting, the use of water in moderate amount has been resorted to with the apparent result of amelioration of some of the distressing symptoms and lengthening the period of endurance.
Dr. Tanner, a physician, attempted in July and August, 1880, at New York, a complete fast of forty days’ duration, with the exception of the free use of water. In this case absolute abstinence from all nourishment is questioned, as no strict medical surveillance was maintained.
The Italian Succi, at New York, in 1890, undertook a voluntary abstinence from food for forty days, under surveillance, with the use of simple liquids and of some narcotic substance. He completed the fast, but beyond this fact the case is without scientific value.
Catalepsy.—Certain abnormal conditions of the nervous system are met where the activity of the vital functions is very considerably lowered and the various processes of the economy are in a condition of semi-suspension. Cases of this character have been observed where the supply of food has been almost entirely suspended for a period of several days, with but little emaciation and other symptoms characteristic of inanition.
WAS STARVATION ACCOMPANIED BY OTHER ILL TREATMENT?
This question may arise where evidences of starvation are apparent.