Chapter III: Part 3

The effects of exercise are two-fold: on the one hand a stimulus is given to the action of the heart and lungs, which enables the blood to be more thoroughly oxygenated and more rapidly circulated; on the other hand, there is an expenditure force, accompanying the increased activity of the organic changes. Exercise strengthens the parts exercised, because it increases the nutrition of those parts. When any organ is inactive, the circulation in it becomes less and less, the smaller ramifications of its network of blood vessels are empty or but half filled, the streams gradually run in fewer channels, and the organ, ceasing to be thoroughly nourished, wastes away. When the organ is active all its vessels are filled; all the vital changes, on which depend its growth and power, proceed rapidly. The force expended is renewed, unless the expenditure has been excessive, in which case there is a disturbance of the mechanism, and depression or disease results. But unless there has been excess, we see that the great advantage of exercise consists in keeping up a due equalization of the circulation, an equable distribution of nutrition to the various organs. Perfect health means the equable activity of all the functions; not the vigor of the muscular system alone, nor of the nervous system alone; not the activity of this gland or that, but the equable vigor of all. Remember that when life makes great demands upon the muscular energy, the demands upon the brain must be less; and when the demands upon the brain are energetic, there is less force disposable for muscles and glands. The advantage of exercise to a student or any other brain-worker, is that it _lessens_ the over-stimulus of his brain, distributes the blood more equably, calling to his muscles some of those streams which would impetuously be rushing through his brain. And understanding what this advantage is, he should be careful to avail himself of it; but he should be careful to remember at the same time that within certain limits all the force with drawn by his muscles is withdrawn from the brain or some other organ. He must not burn the candle at both ends.

It is certain that sedentary men, and men of hard-worked intellects, are greatly in need of some means of distributing the circulation through the muscles. Exercise is the means. When the avocations are such as to render continuous exercise in the open air difficult or impossible, we should seek to compensate for this by variety of gentle activities distributed throughout the day. No error is more common than that of supposing open-air exercise to be indispensable to health: we may have no time for walking, rowing, riding or any of the ordinary modes of out-door activity, yet--as the excellent health and strength of domestic servants, who scarcely ever stir out, will show--the mere activity of the body, in various occupations, suffices for the equalization of the circulation. Let the sedentary stand as well as sit, changing the posture frequently, and using back and arms as variously as possible. A variety of gentle activities is more beneficial to the student than bursts of violent exercise. Above all things, remember that in exercise, as in diet, the grand rule is moderation. Avoid fatigue; as you would cease eating when appetite abates, cease muscular activity when the impulse to continue it abates.

In general, the healthy man may eat almost anything in moderation; but it is wiser for all to avoid meat twice cooked, rich gravies and fried dishes. Nature tells us very plainly that that pleasure is a means no less than an end. The exercise which has in it the element of amusement is ten times as beneficial as a listless walk; and the meal which is eaten with a relish is far more nutritious than a meal eaten only as a periodical necessity. Solitary walks along familiar or uninteresting roads, or solitary meals on dishes unstimulating to the palate, are not to be compared with rambles through interesting tracts, or with stimulating companions, and meals where the guests, no less than dishes, add their pleasurable excitement.

There is one point of regimen to which attention may be called, and that is, never to attempt severe mental or bodily labor after a full meal. If possible, let all such labor be got through in the early part of the day, after breakfast, but before dinner; not only because the bodily vigor is then greatest, but also because the restoration of that vigor through dinner should not be interfered with. We know that in many cases this advice is impracticable. Night-work is inevitable in some lives, and is fancied to be so in the lives of students and literary men. In such cases, there is, at least, this mitigating resource--not to commence hard work until the labor of digestion is over. Thousands ruin their digestion by disregarding this simple advice. If work after dinner be inevitable, let the dinner be a very light one, and let a light supper be eaten.

In order to prove the facts above cited, a physician of our acquaintance tried the experiment upon two healthy dogs. They were both fed alike and in similar quantities, one being allowed to rest in quiet an hour after feeding, and the other permitted to run around and frolic for a similar length of time. Both dogs were then killed, and the food of the one allowed to rest was quite digested, while that of the other was scarcely digested at all.

No better general advice can be given in conclusion than that furnished us by the greatest physician of the present time, Dr. Willard Parker, now enjoying rugged health at the advanced age of eighty, and being a living example of the truth of his reasoning.

The blood will be either good or bad, according as the material or food is good or bad. The character of blood made depends on the kind of food taken. In this country, as a rule, too much meat is eaten; meat once a day is sufficient, especially for brain workers. The waste matter from a meat diet is eliminated through the kidneys. Too much labor thrown upon those organs produces disease. An overloaded stomach is unfavorable to active brain work. Man is like an engine with two service pipes, one for the brain and one for the body, and no man has the requisite force to work both at once. Generally Americans bolt their food. It should be cooked. The first process of cooking a steak is on the range; the second is in the mouth, and this is done by working the saliva into the food by chewing. Thus is the food prepared to be acted upon by the juices of the stomach. Infants in nursing move the jaws to obtain the milk, and the working of the infant’s jaw mixes the milk with the saliva, and thus fits that milk to go into the stomach. After being subjected to the action of the stomach for two or three hours the food becomes fitted to pass into the circulation by absorption. To have good food, therefore, it is necessary that it be made of proper material properly prepared. We are furnished with milk to start with as we enter the world. Had meat been the best diet, we should have been born with beefsteaks in our hands. But we are given milk. Milk and blood are nearer alike than any other two fluids; a large proportion of each is water. After milk, breadstuffs and vegetables are the best diet, and in warm climates fruit. Then meats. Sugar and fat go into the body not so much to nourish it as to be a fuel to give it warmth. Meat contains much nitrogenous matter.

A limited quantity of spirits at the principal meal, especially for persons advanced in life or of weak digestion, may aid in the combustion of the food. Spirits aid digestion in feeble and aged persons; but only the feeble or the aged require such a stimulus. The young and vigorous do not need it, and are better off without it. Middle aged persons may perhaps drink a little spirit with their meals without danger; but they cannot safely make it a beverage. In small quantities alcoholic drinks stimulate, and if not enough is taken to coagulate the pepsin and the albumen in the food they promote digestion in proper cases, and thus help to repair the system. But whenever more alcoholic liquor is taken into the stomach with the food than is demanded it passes into the circulation, disturbs the action of the heart, flushes the face and confuses the brain. When so much fermented or distilled liquor is taken into the system that the functions of the organism are disturbed positive harm is done--the system has been so far poisoned. An irritation has been set up instead of the desired healthful stimulation of the stomach.

The human system contains water, fat, starch, sugar, nitrogenous substances, iron, sulphur, phosphorus, animal quinine, sodium potassium and chlorine; but no alcohol is found. It has no like in the system, hence there is nothing that it can repair, and it cannot, therefore, be ranked as a food of any kind. It possesses an inherent deleterious property, which, when introduced into the system, is capable of destroying life, and it has its place with arsenic, belladonna, prussic acid and opium. Like these, it is to be employed as a medicine, and has its true position in works on materia medica. It is both a poison and a medicine.

It has been settled by science that alcohol, which passes into the blood when more is taken than can be employed as a condiment or tonic, undergoes no change in the blood, but exists there as a foreign substance, creating irritation; and the excitement involved in the effort to throw off the irritating substance wastes the energy and life of the system. After alcohol has produced disease of the stomach it next expends its force upon the neighboring organs, inducing disease of the liver and dropsy or Bright’s disease, both of which are fatal to health, if not to life.

The life insurance companies understand it. Their figures show that while a temperate young man at twenty may reasonably look forward to forty-four years and two months of life, the young man of the same age who poisons his system with drink can expect not more than fifteen years and six months. He who uses alcohol becomes an easy prey of epidemics; his system cannot resist the poison of diphtheria, cholera and fevers.

To make good blood we require good food, pure water, pure air, sunlight and exercise. Either foul air or impure water poisons the blood. If you don’t throw off two pounds and three-quarters of effete matter every twenty-four hours through the lungs and two pounds through the pores you must expect sooner or later to fall. Nothing is more essential than pure air. Impure air is the source of our ship fevers.

Cleanliness has been classed as akin to godliness. It certainly takes high rank in equalizing the circulation. The jockeys appreciate its importance. How regularly and carefully they groom their horses! Is not man as precious as the horse? Every man should groom himself every morning--sponge himself from head to foot with water of the temperature of the room in which he sleeps. The purpose of wetting the surface is merely to make the friction of a rough towel more effective as it is rubbed over the person. You should not sleep in any garment that you wear by day, and the room in which you sleep should be perfectly ventilated by a fireplace and a partly opened window if possible.

First Winner U. S. Six-day Go-as-you-please Champion Belt; making 480 miles and defeating 40 competitors.]

Second Winner Six-day Go-as-you-please English Champion Belt, making over 542 miles, April, 1879.]

If, after you have observed the rules of hygiene to the extent indicated you have cold feet and limbs and indigestion and a tendency to vertigo, plunge your feet into water as hot as you can bear it, and keep them there five minutes. Then put them into cold water for a second.

“Cool head, free bowels, warm feet and a good-salary” is the old aphorism. If you suffer your feet to get cold you are in danger of apoplexy of the brain or of the lungs. Cold feet are very likely to be associated with a sluggish state of the bowels. The feet are cold because there is too much blood in one place and too little in another. Cold feet follow the breaking of an equilibrium of the circulation. Sedentary occupations are provocative of cold feet. If you keep the skin clean and the bowels free and take moderate exercise you will maintain an equilibrium of circulation, and this equalized circulation will keep the feet warm. When the feet are cold it is better to warm them with exercise than at a fire. Look at the wood chopper, swinging his arms so that his hands slap his sides. Thus he carries the blood to his hands, and it warms them. That is the best warmth for either. There is a vast difference between the longevity of men who take care of themselves and of those who do not. It is, as the life insurance companies’ tables show, as thirty-five is to about seventy. The man who bows to all the known laws of hygiene not only lives longer, but is able also to enter into all the joys of life without the aches and pains.

THE LATE JOHN MORRISSEY’S VIEWS.

The Honorable John Morrissey, ex-champion pugilist of America, in conversation with us about diet, said:

“Mr. James, you can form no idea of the glorious feeling that a man experiences when he gets himself in perfect condition. Everything in the world looks different to him from what it does when his system is clogged up with bile, and he is carrying a quantity of flesh that is only a burden to him. It is almost impossible to get a man when in such a condition into a bad humor. He feels like a young colt, and wants to kick up his heels and have a good time with everybody and everything he meets.” His course of training was as follows:

FIRST. Take a black draught. Any druggist will put it up. All prize-fighters take this when they begin to train for a fight. You’ll find it the liveliest dose of medicine you ever took.

SECOND. Be sure and get at least seven or eight hours of good sound sleep every day.

THIRD. In the morning when you first get up drink a glass of hard cider with a raw egg in it. If the cider is not to be had then use sherry wine, but I prefer the cider. Then start out and walk briskly for a couple of miles. When you come back take a sponge bath and rub yourself dry with a coarse towel. Bub until your skin is all aglow.

FOURTH. For breakfast eat a lean steak, cooked rare, and stale bread. Use no milk, no sugar, no butter, and no potatoes, with the exception of about once a week. If you wish you can eat a roast or baked potato in the morning. Drink sparingly of tea and coffee. Tea is the best.

FIFTH. For dinner eat rare roast beef and stale bread. Use no potatoes or vegetables of any kind with this meal. For change you can have occasionally a mutton chop.

SIXTH. For supper, a lean steak or a mutton chop, without fat. Do not eat any warm biscuits or warm bread, at any time. Stick to good wholesome stale wheat bread. Eat no pies, cakes or pastry of any kind, and use pepper, salt and all other seasonings very sparingly.

SEVENTH. Use no stimulants of any kind. Do not smoke. Drink sparingly of water. Do not eat berries or vegetables of any kind, excepting occasionally a raw onion.

EIGHTH. If you feel weak in the morning before breakfast, it comes from the bathing, and it should be discontinued for a few days.

The system for hardening the muscles, etc., most approved of by the Senator and the leading pugilists, is being first sponged with a decoction of arnica flowers, alum, borax and Jamaica rum, then bathed with hartshorn liniment, and an application of white wine vinegar mixed with alum and borax to the face and hands. The proportions of the ingredients used in the sponge bath have hitherto been a profound secret with the professional trainer. For the benefit of the fraternity we here print them: Take two pounds of arnica flowers, five cents’ worth of borax, five cents’ worth of alum, and steep all together, after pulverizing the alum and borax, in a gallon or so of Jamaica rum, and after letting it steep for twenty-four hours, apply as before stated.

TRAINING IN REGARD TO PUGILISM AND WRESTLING.

The work necessary to reduce or otherwise bring the pugilist into something like condition will be, of course, nearly if not precisely similar to the training required for a pedestrian or other match. The physicing will require great attention; all drastic and griping medicines are to be avoided, if possible, and cases will occur from time to time where no medicine ought to be given whatever. The man in one of these instances will be in a low state, and require feeding and training up. In another, the body will be in so open and relaxed a state that the prescribing and giving the usual dose would be followed to a certainty by the patient training right off, and failing into a low and prostrate condition. In the general state of health, however, which characterizes the pugilist when matched to fight (with a full habit of body, flushed countenance, and a pulse full and slow), the usual dose, salts, etc., may be introduced with advantage, but the quantities and frequent use left to the usual habit of the man, or to the judgment of the trainer. The physicing and preparation for the hard work should occupy the first week; and the number of sweats taken during the second week should be regulated by the state of inside and the loose flesh on the body. A sharp run will soon show the state of the inside by the state of “the bellows,” whether the wind is short or not, and the manner in which the looser flesh shakes when sparring is a pretty fair criterion of there being a good quantity of outside superfluity to get away. He ought to be rubbed down after his runs and fast walks, and dry clothes put on in a warm, dry room. The loss of weight should be gradual. If, on the contrary, the loss be too rapid, and continue daily, the reducing system must cease, and feeding up take the place of sweating for a few days until the system is restored. The meals, of course, must be taken regularly, and consist of the same kind of animal food as recommended previously, and the beverage most suited to the constitution of the man taken in small quantities--the kind and quantity, of course, being left to the judgment of the trainer. Wine is principally given when the man has to be trained up, and then good old port wine will be found to be of the most service. The pugilists of the present day strengthen the arms, loins, and shoulders by hitting out at a striking-bag suspended from a beam, and a large bladder hung in like manner; by exercise with pulleys, the ropes passing over wheels and having weights attached; plenty of practice with the gloves, diversified with the use of a skipping-rope, and finally, but by no means of minor importance, by continual sharp practice with dumb-bells of about seven pounds weight or under. Good condition in the pugilist will be shown by the healthy state of the skin, which will be clear, with a ruddy tinge underneath, as well as soft, with the muscles underneath swelling and feeling firm to the touch at every movement of the limb or portion under manipulation. The eye will be clear and bright, and a look of confidence and ease of mind characterize the expression and looks of the athlete. As regards the pickle for the hands and face, the nostrums for the first are legion, and one as good as another; but we believe that nothing is better than the simple juice of a lemon for the latter, and which will be found to answer every intended purpose.

The trainer ought to be chosen with regard to his conversational powers, as well as for his knowledge of what is requisite for the physical health of his pupil, that he may amuse and instruct him to the fullest extent of his power. The trainer should inform him, if possible, of all the peculiarities of the antagonist, his mode of attack and method of defense, the weak points of his temper, or any physical deficiency under which he might labor, as well as the manner in which he may have won or lost any previous battle. And, as in many cases the first or second telling may not have the effect of raising the curiosity of his man, the patience of the trainer should not give way under the repetition before the slow and obtuse curiosity is roused to such an extent that the pugilist commences the interrogation in his turn, and becomes anxious in his inquiries for information, which will almost invariably be the case when he finds out the importance that the trainer’s continued repetitions have invested the apparent trifles with.

PRINCIPAL MUSCLES USED BY THE ATHLETE.

In high jumping, the front muscles of the thigh are principally used. They are attached at one end to the top part of the thigh bone, at the ocher to the knee cap, which passes over the knee, and is fixed to the top part of the shin bone. In the act of jumping, these muscles contract violently, and straighten the leg with a jerk, the quickness of which mainly contributes to the height of the jump.

In long jumping, the muscles of the back part of the thigh are used; these are attached to the back part of the shin bone at one end, and to the lower part of the pelvis at the other, and by contracting draw the leg backwards on the trunk. This action is also assisted by the glutœus maximus, which is fixed at one end of the top part of the thigh, at the other to the lowest part of the vertebral column.

In long distance running, the front and back muscles of the thigh are used in equal proportions; the former in raising the body at every stride, the latter in propelling it forward. But in the case of running on the toes, the calf of the leg will be the weak part; so much so that no amount of practice will enable some, especially heavy men, to run any distance on their toes.

In short distance running, the front muscles of the thigh which lie nearest to the trunk, bring the leg forward in the rapid repetition of the strides. These are a different set from those that straighten the leg, and are used in long distance running; they are attached at one end to the lower and front part of the pelvis, and at the other end to the top part of the thigh bone. The back muscles of the thigh are the same that are used in long distance running for propelling the body forwards. A narrow pelvis is a great assistance in this, as indeed in all running; for on the narrowness of the pelvis facility in repeating the strides principally depends.

In throwing the hammer, more depends on the swing than on the strength of any particular muscle, though the strain comes more particularly on the small of the back--that is, on the muscles which raise and keep the back erect, and are attached to all the vertebra of the spine.

In putting the stone, the muscles called particularly into action are the front part of the deltoid, which is attached to the top part of the arm, and at the other end to the collar bone, and brings the arm upwards and forwards; the top part of the pectoral muscle, which also runs from the top of the arm to the collar bone, and brings the arm forwards; the triceps, which is fixed at one end of the shoulder and shoulder blade, and at the other end of the forearm, below the elbow, and extends the arm at the elbow joint. The feet are also assisted by a simultaneous spring with the legs, and a rapid turn of the body.

In walking, the muscles of the whole body are brought into action more than in any of the other exercises we have alluded to. The arms and back assist the legs greatly in changing the balance of the body, and in bringing the hips forward at each stride. The calf of the leg has much work to do, even as much as running on the toes. The muscle, however, that suffers most is that which rises on the outside of the shin bone, near the knee, and runs down the leg, crossing the shin near the ankle, to be inserted near the inside of the sole of the foot. This muscle raises the foot, and draws it back towards the leg at the end of the stride, and also points the heel at the commencement; so that in fast walking it has no rest, and consequently becomes very painful. The front and back muscles of the thigh also come in for a large share of work.

The following measurements are an average of the dimensions of some of the best runners, and may be taken as a fair guide of what the proportion of the limbs should be respectively:

Height 5ft. 6in. 5ft. 8in. 5ft. 10in. 6ft.
Weight 116lbs. 133lbs. 149lbs. 168lbs.
Chest 35in. 37in. 39in. 40in.
Waist 27in. 28in. 29in. 31in.
Hips 34in. 35½in. 37in. 38in.
Thigh 20in. 21in. 22in. 23in.
Calf 13½in. 14in. 14½in. 15in.

The dimensions of the chest may appear small at first sight, but it must be remembered that the runner has no muscles of the shoulder blades to increase his measurement. A well-made runner has not that top-heavy appearance that characterizes the gymnast who does much arm work.

TEMPERAMENT.

The Sanguine Temperament belongs to that class with bright, ruddy complexion, light hair, and full circulation. Their disposition is energetic and spirited, but their power of resisting disease or of bearing protracted exercise is not great, and their ardent character is rather the result of nervous excitability than of vital force. Their power lies in dash rather than in endurance.

The Bilious Temperament is of an opposite description. The circulation is sluggish, the disposition persevering and obstinate; the constitution as a rule is tough, and is capable of severe tasks, under which the sanguine would succumb. These men are good subjects for training, but they require good food and much exercise.

1. Geo. Werhan.
2. Fred. Beckwith.
3. Capt. M. Webb.
4. E. Von Shoening.
5. Geo. F. Ferns.
6. Geo. Wade.
7. Wm. H. Daly.
8. H. Troutz.
9. Wm. Beckwith.]

The Lymphatic are of a pale complexion, with delicate skins and full habit of body. There is a torpor about their mental as well as muscular actions. When subject to disease they become peevish and are difficult to treat. When united to a nervous disposition, they are perhaps the worst class of men for training, though we sometimes find much latent energy in them. To a certain extent, nervousness is overcome by habit; but the nutrition of the nerve power ought to be the main point in the advancement of health. The nerves are the controllers of the actions; they regulate the contraction of muscles in the activity of the body. The work done by the muscles depends on the proper adjustment of the mechanism, their guidance and activity on the energy of the nerves. The important work that the nerves fulfill is evident, when we consider that the brain itself needs one fifth of the whole supply of the blood in the body. It must suffer, therefore, if the supply of air to the blood is bad. How easily is accounted for the dull aching of the temples of the athlete accustomed to pure air in a badly ventilated theatre or room. If deficient oxidation of the blood is the cause of derangement to the nervous system, blood of bad quality must be equally hurtful to the muscular. The sensibilities of the internal organs are the disposition of each person to such a degree as to be influenced by the slightest sensation of pain, joy, grief, or any feeling of the mind. The reaction affects the muscular system; all the functions of body are carried on by a system of self and mutual help, so intimately united together as to be dependent for proficiency on one another.

GROWTH AND DECAY.

The food after mastication by the teeth, and solution by the action of the saliva, gastric and other juices, is taken up by a system of vessels, and, mingling with the venous blood, is carried to the heart, whence it is sent to the lungs to be aerated, and back again by another set of vessels to the heart, to be finally pumped through the arteries to all parts of the body, carrying materials for the repair of the tissue, and production of heat. In the very minute terminations of the capillary arteries in those structures, where the molecular change of the body goes on, the current of the blood is very slow, to enable the warmth and sustenance of the body to be kept up by the chemical actions of destruction and reproduction of tissue. The oxygen in the arterial blood obtained from the lungs is carried throughout the system and assists these actions, therefore perfect respiration and pure air are the great promoters of change of tissue. This shows the necessity of the blood being in a sufficiently liquid state to hold gases and nutritive matter in solution for the purposes of oxydizing tissue and of forming flesh. The amount of water in the blood determines to a great extent the health of the body, the blood being the organ of the vital processes of change. The severe restrictions on liquid imposed on those in training, who by arduous exercise waste much tissue and need much repair, are, therefore, physiologically wrong. The action of the air on the skin stimulates the secretion, and exercise, indirectly raising the heat of the body, induces perspiration, which is nature’s remedy to keep the temperature of the body constant. Evaporation and secretion require water. On a daily average, 2lb. of water is thrown off by the skin in moderate exercise. Water forms 70 per cent. of the whole body, and for the digestive fluids the proportion of water to solid is as 12 to 1. Liquidity is necessary, also, for the actual processes of decay and repair, by causing the passage of fluids of different densities through the various animal membranes from the oxydation of venous blood in the moist air of the lung cells to the repair of tissue by the smallest capillary in the extremities.

Want of liquid causes a stagnation of the circulation, an inflammatory state of the body, and excites the nervous system to an extraordinary degree. Owing to this want, under the usual system of training regimen, the body is frequently in a state of fever about the second week, until either the trainee gives up the preparation, or his constitution has temporarily accommodated itself to the change at the expense of his vital energy.

The nourishment of the body by the food taken is important in its regard to health, and its variety. The primary object of food is to form blood, and according to the condition in which the body receives it, greater or less nutriment, at the same expense of vital activity, can be obtained. The assistance of nature, by proper cooking and careful selection of articles, is in our own hands. Our vegetables should be well cooked, and the animal food ought to be done so as to retain the juices of the meat. Let it be rather under than overdone. Brown meat is more nutritious than white. If the digestion is good, the athlete need not be particular as to description of food. Rich sauces are not to be recommended, or even heavy puddings, but jellies and light ones are most acceptable. A healthy, robust man, in hard work, may eat nearly anything in moderation. The food should be well masticated, to enable the saliva to dissolve the starchy matter in it, and also to prevent a sudden loading of the stomach. The blood during digestion is principally employed about the stomach. Exercise or mental work, therefore, directly after a meal, will retard the operation of digestion by taking away the blood to the limbs or brain.

Great mental activity requires much repose. In the winter more sleep is required than in the summer, from the fact that the activity of the system, in keeping up its warmth, etc., though of shorter duration, is greater. Sleep after food is often required by nervous persons of weak digestion, but the athlete is better without it, an amusing book, light study, etc., taking its place. A mattress gives the soundest sleep. The quantity of clothing should be sufficient to keep up a gentle exhalation from the skin. The wasting of the body to reduce weight is frequently carried to a ridiculous extent. It has been proved that the body in daily work loses about 1-24th of its weight, and that life ceases when the waste has reduced it to 3-5ths of its original weight. In the nerves, however, the loss is hardly perceptible; while the fat suffers in double the proportion of the muscles, 90 and 45 per cent. respectively.

This may well explain the nervous excitability of the body when kept beyond its regular time for food, or when supplied with food of deficient quality. The arrangement of the internal mechanism must go on, respiration continues, circulation and heat result, at the expense of the machine itself. By regularity in meals the stomach accommodates itself to the changes of action and repose, and the system harmonizes with it.

MEATS, ETC., TO BE AVOIDED.

Veal, pork, and salt beef or bacon should be avoided; also goose, duck, and wildfowl generally; as well as butter, cucumbers, sweets, and all seasonings, except salt with a little black pepper. Venery should not be indulged in under any circumstances while training.

NATURAL SWEATING.

Put on extra clothing over those parts more particularly which are loaded with fat. Thus, if the legs are very fat, two or three pair of trowsers should be drawn on; if the abdomen is full, then a double apron of flannel should be suspended from the neck under the trowsers; and if the arms and neck are loaded, two or three thick undershirts may be worn, and a woolen shawl wrapped round the neck. When thus clothed, a brisk walk or a slow run of two or three miles brings on a profuse perspiration, which may be kept up for an hour or so by being covered with blankets, or by lying in front of a good fire; the clothes should be then stripped off, beginning with the upper part of the body, and sponging each with hot salt water, before drying it with a coarse towel, after which horse-hair gloves should be used freely. The dressing may be as usual, taking care to expose each limb as short a time as possible.

ARTIFICIAL SWEATING.

Take a Turkish bath, or the whole body should be stripped and immediately wrapped in a sheet wrung out of cold water, but not so as to get rid of all the water; then, rolling the patient in a thick blanket, inclosing the arms, like a mummy, he is placed beneath a feather bed, covering all up to the chin. In a quarter of an hour or so reaction comes on, and a most profuse perspiration breaks out over the whole body. When the sweating has continued from an hour to an hour and a half, everything should be taken off, and cold water poured over the whole body by means of a shower bath; then rub dry and clothe.

SWEATING LIQUORS.

A scruple of Dover’s powder at night, or half a pint of whey made with white wine, and with thirty drops each of antimonial wine, and sweet spirits of nitre added. Care should be taken to rub the whole body with horse-hair gloves night and morning.

TREATMENT OF THE FEET, HANDS, SINEWS, ETC.

The chief cause of tender feet rests with the socks and shoes or boots in which the pedestrian may commence his work. By no means attempt work in new boots, or in those, however well seasoned, that are not of sufficient length and width in the tread and across the toes. The thickness, so as they are of a sound double sole and perfectly water-tight at the lower part, does not so much matter; but a few days’ use will soon prove to the training man that a rather stout pair will keep his feet sounder and be of more comfort to him, in a long journey, than the lighter kind, Different men, however, are of various opinions; but Westhall, during a long experience, found that a pair of boots laced up the front and reaching a trifle above the ankle and of medium stoutness, answered every purpose required by anyone who is satisfied with doing well. A very thick pair, of course, may be kept in reserve for very wet and muddy weather, when slow work only will be advisable to be taken. Should the pedestrian, however, be obstinate, and take fast work in the heavy boots, he will in most cases be punished by sore shins, which will prove a source of such trouble that the lighter sort of boots will be in requisition for the future. The socks should be of an easy fit and of fine warm lambs’-wool. The chief care about the socks, however, is taking the precaution that a pair of socks should never be worn a second time until thoroughly aired, and if possible a supply should be so provided that they may be rinsed out in cold water, and then dried before again being worn.

The above precautions will prove of the greatest value to those who have feet given to sweating, and in some instances have proved an effectual cure for the inconvenience. The toenails should be attended to regularly, and the shape of the foot will be the best criterion for their treatment. To prevent the hands from swelling, a short stick or switch, carried in the hand will be efficacious while walking about. Strains are of frequent occurrence, and chiefly arise from the man making some sudden effort when the tendons or the fascia (the thin covering) of the muscles are stiff and sore from previous hard work. The tendon Achilles--from the heel to the calf of the leg--is the principal seat of the most dangerous of the strains of the tendons, and is incurable except by rest, and that of some duration. Should there be any swelling and hardening of the injured portion of the tendon, _do not_ attempt any methods of self-treatment, but seek _medical_ advice. All strains are assisted in their cure by bandaging, but they should not be applied until hot fomentations for some time have been applied, and finished up by the application of the embrocation, with plenty of friction, before a fire.

SOFT CORNS.--Pick off with the nails as much as possible; next day apply caustic, rubbing it in; afterward keep a piece of carded cotton between the toes night and day.

HARD CORNS.--Pare off the hard cuticle; then apply tincture of iodine with a brush or caustic.

HARDENING THE FLESH.--Lemon juice is one of the simplest and best for rubbing on the hand. Horseradish grated and mixed with vinegar is also good. Whiskey poured in the shoe is frequently used.

BUNIONS.--Apply two or three leeches every day for a week; when the bites are well, brush with tincture of iodine every other day. An application of “Papier Fayard” is sometimes very beneficial.

BOILS.--Apply linseed poultice, or open it with a knife. If on the “seat of honor,” apply a plaster spread on leather, and composed of equal parts of mercurial and opiate plaster. Do not use the knife. To those subject to boils use the following as a preventative: take nitrate of silver, from fifteen to twenty grains to the ounce, made into a wash, and paint the surface every night. This turns the skin black, but do not mind that.

STRAINS.--The following is the receipt of Westhall’s stimulating embrocation: Spirits of wine, ¼ pint; spirits of turpentine, ¼ pint; white vinegar, ¼ pint. Mix thoroughly, warm by the fire, beat up a fresh egg, and mix gradually with the spirits, etc.; shake the bottle well.

SPRAINS.--For sprained ankle, make a flannel bag about a foot long by six inches wide, which fill with bran and plunge into boiling water until thoroughly saturated; then squeeze almost dry, and apply it as hot as the patient can bear on the weak part. There should be a couple of bags, so that when one application gets cool fresh heat may be immediately applied.

CHAPPED HANDS, ETC.--Smear over the parts chapped with glycerine, by means of a brush or feather, night and morning.

BLISTERS.--Prick with a fine needle before they burst, inserting the needle obliquely, and the water presses out, repeating whenever the blister fills again. If the blister is broken, apply collodion with a brush; if too painful, use finely carded medicated cotton in a thin layer, under a kid glove, or powdered gum-arabic, taking care to keep the hands from water for twenty-four hours. For feet blisters, spread a piece of kid with soap-plaster, applying over the skin; also bathe in strong salt water mixed with powdered alum and vinegar. If large, run a stocking-needle threaded with white worsted through; then cut the end off, leaving the worsted in the blister until the water runs out. Do not leave off washing the feet in salt water, etc., as this will act as a preventative.

LARRY FOLEY, JACK THOMPSON,

Noted Australian Pugilists.]

Long-distance Walker.]

American Long-distance Walker.]

EXERCISE, SUN BATHS, ETC.

The increasing interest in the matter of healthy exercise is shown by the number of athletic clubs and gymnasiums throughout the country, especially so in our colleges of learning and public institutions. Most of these have every gymnastic appliance, as also professors to give instruction; but where such do not exist a complete outfit at a very moderate expense can be obtained, all ready for use. The rowing machine has been previously described. The health lift, as a gentle exercise, is rapidly becoming an institution of necessity to persons of sedentary habits, and brings into action, when properly used, as many muscles of the human frame as any other exercise, and yet consumes but a few moments of time daily, which of itself is an important item to brain-workers and industrious humanity generally. It is so adjustable as to be alike suited for the weakest, strongest, shortest and tallest persons of either sex. Indian clubs, dumb-bells, trapeze bar and rings and striking bag may all be readily obtained, and, simpler still for in-door exercise, Goodyear’s Patent Parlor Gymnasium, which can be used by ladies and children without any fear of strain or the slightest jar to the system. Dr. Dio Lewis, in his work on New Gymnastics, gives a series of movements and illustrations without the aid of any auxiliaries, so that there can be no possible excuse for neglecting exercise. Sun and air baths, involving no expense, can always be had. By these we mean exposing the body naked a certain portion of the day to their effects. It was the custom of John Quincy Adams to walk up and down his bedroom nude, and with open windows as a preventative of colds. This he practiced both winter and summer, with the desired effect, living to be over eighty. With a view still more to the assistance and preservation of nature, General Pleasanton has written an elaborate work, claiming wonderful effects in nervous diseases from the sun’s rays as reflected through blue glass panes, and his theory is extensively practiced with very encouraging results. Dr. Samuel R. Elliott of this city, an athlete as well as a very skillful physician and scientist, has found that in some cases the blue glass alone produces too strong an effect, and believes that alternate blue and white strips, two or three inches wide, engender the proper form and quantity of electricity; and we therefore suggest that his plan be adopted. The patient should sit for an hour or more daily in such position that, whatever part of the body is affected, may be acted upon by the rays thus received. Where advice can be had it is better to obtain it, as all persons cannot even take electricity in the same manner, quantity or proportion. The glass should not be colored on the surface alone, but through and through, of a deep mazarine hue.

BATHS--HOT, COLD, ETC.

The use of water cannot be too much applied to any athlete as regards outward application, but of course cold is the most beneficial if the constitution of the recipient be of sufficient vigor; and there are but very few indeed who are so delicate as to require tepid or warm water; but even the latter are better than the absence, even partially, of the bath. Cold baths may be taken anyhow and anywhere, provided the whole of the body is immersed or thoroughly sponged over, but the most decided benefit will be derived from the plunge bath. However, equally successful results may be gained by the use of a large bath well filled with water, the body being well sluiced with the water from a large sponge. The shower is also of great benefit, but in some conditions of body the sudden shock has rendered the nervous system so irritable that it has undone all the good intended by the reaction. Where there is not the convenience of a bath of any kind, a towel dipped in water and the body thoroughly and briskly rubbed will insure a thorough cleansing of the pores of the skin, and of course a proportionate share of vigor given to the frame. In the present system of training, the pedestrian puts on his sweaters and does the work set him by his trainer, and then, when he is in a state of perfect perspiration, he throws off his wet and reeking flannels, and takes his shower with the greatest unconcern, knowing that the friction which is afterwards applied will restore the proper heat of the body after the sudden shock of the shower has closed the pores of the skin for the time and relieved him of all his previous fatigue. The rubbing restores the circulation of the small blood-vessels of the skin, and so strong and fresh do the pedestrians feel after this treatment that, when dressed, they all declare they feel no remains of their previous fatigue. Nothing but good has accrued from the treatment, and those who have undergone a trial of the sweat and shower swear by the method.

The Turkish bath is only fit to reduce an infirm and obese man to something like weight to begin work, and can only be looked upon as a luxury, and not an adjunct to training, besides being far from healthy. The hot bath is of course required when a man is stiff and tired all over from cold or overfatigue, when they will modify the symptoms; but, as they are so simple and so easily obtainable, they require no further comment. A vapor bath is of considerable use in assisting a healthy and fat man to reduce his weight; but after sweating he must be rubbed with a wet cloth, or have a shower; he should then put on a set or two of flannels, and do at least an hour of severe work, during which time the reducing process will be going on in perfection. On arriving home the wet towel should be applied, or a sponging with cold water; after a good rub, and fresh clothing being donned, it will be found there has been a good morning’s work accomplished.

The vapor bath can be made in a very home-spun and simple manner, but equally efficacious with those attached to baths of large name, etc. A washing or any other flat tub, a third filled with very hot water, in which is placed a stool, will do for the ground-work of the vapor. Take your seat on the stool, the feet of course outside the tub, and be well covered with blankets round the neck, and round the tub, leaving an opening which can be closed at leisure. Having heated two or three large bricks to a red heat, put one into the water, and when cooled another, until the bath has been prolonged a sufficient time. This is a primitive but a very useful bath to put into use to relieve a bad cold, or for any other service required at a short notice.

THIRST, MEDICINE, ETC.

The chief punishment when a man is in the course of training requisite to reduce his bulk is thirst, which is in most cases of rather a severe character. The same amount of pluck which enables the man to go through his work and adhere to other rules must be here called into requisition. The best plan is to gargle the mouth, but not swallow any; but the application of cold water will be found to afford the greatest relief--washing the hands, wrists, and face freely will give relief; a little pebble kept in the mouth is a very good thing, but faithfully avoid all nostrums such as cream of tartar, tartaric acid, etc., when suffering from thirst, as they only gratify the palate without relieving the craving for liquid immediately the acid taste has passed, when the before troublesome feeling becomes much augmented. Should relief, however, become imperative, a small portion of powdered nitre will be followed by an immediate flow of saliva, which will give instant but unfortunately only partial ease. There, however, is no increase of the symptoms from the application of the remedy, which will assist the action of the kidneys, and allay the accompanying fever of the system. The chief cure is to wait until the next meal-time, when the previous abstinence from stolen enjoyment will be rewarded by an approving conscience in having resisted a severe temptation. The thirst will leave a man when he leaves off sweating.

WEIGHT AS PROPORTIONAL TO HEIGHT.

HEIGHT. WEIGHT.

5ft. 1in. should be 120 pounds.
5ft. 2in. 126 “
5ft. 3in. 133 “
5ft. 4in. 136 “
5ft. 5in. 142 “
5ft. 6in. 145 “
5ft. 7in. 148 “
5ft. 8in. 155 “
5ft. 9in. 162 “
5ft. 10in. 169 “
5ft. 11in. 174 “
6ft. ---- 178 “

The above table was formed by Dr. Hutchingson, and was taken from a mean average of 2,648 healthy men. By this scale life insurances are regulated in England. The Doctor’s calculations were made upon the volume of air passing in and out of the lungs, and this was his guide as to how far the various organs of the body were in health, and the lungs in particular.

WEIGHT WHEN IN CONDITION FOR ATHLETIC FEATS.

HEIGHT. WEIGHT.

5ft. 1in. From 106 to 111 pounds.
5ft. 2in. 112 “ 115 “
5ft. 3in. 117 “ 118 “
5ft. 4in. 119 “ 125 “
5ft. 5in. 125 “ 129 “
5ft. 6in. 128 “ 134 “
5ft. 7in. 133 “ 140 “
5ft. 8in. 140 “ 147 “
5ft. 9in. 148 “ 154 “
5ft. 10in. 155 “ 163 “
5ft. 11in. 165 “ 174 “
6ft. ---- 175 “ 186 “

The proper measurement according to the height and weight:

MEASUREMENTS.

Height 5 feet.
Weight 103 pounds.
Neck 12 inches.
Chest (uninflated) 32½ “
Wrist 5½ “
Ankle 7⅔ “

ALLOWANCES.

The following allowances should be made where the dimensions are found to be greater than shown in the preceding table:

For every inch in height 1¾ pounds.
For every inch around neck ¾ “
For every inch around chest 1 “
For every ⅛ inch around wrist ½ “
For every ⅛ inch around ankle 1 “

BANTING ON CORPULENCY.