TRAINING OF MEN AND ANIMALS. 177 



sufficieiitly ; pure air, proper exercise, good oats and 

 hay, with thorough grooming, would bring horses to the 

 starting post, far better able and in condition for running 

 than they usually are brought, in consequence of the too 

 cowwio^z use of physic, and the quantity given at each 

 dose. I am persuaded that alterative medicine would an- 

 swer a better purpose than stronger physic, in most cases, 

 where, even it is exhibited judiciously ; I do not say, that 

 physic is at no time proper, there are situations, when it 

 is highly necessary ; but I contend against the frequency 

 of its exhibition, and the quantity exhibited ; I do so, 

 thoroughly convinced of its laying the foundation of some 

 diseases, and rendering the animal incapable of contending 

 against any other, with which he might unfortunately 

 be attacked. As to the food used in the training of men. Food for train* 

 I should consider that which affords the most nutriment, ingmcn. 

 occupying the least space, and digesting easy, to be the 

 most proper, and likely to give the greatest assistance to 

 the other requisites, in training them to perform any feats 

 requiring extraordinary exertion of the muscular system; 

 this attended to, with the benefit of free respiration 

 (without which, nothing great can be performed, either 

 by man, horse, or other animal) will admit of astonishing 

 and wonderful powers and strength, either in wrestling, 

 pugilism, walking, running, &c. &c. 



" As far as relates to strength and wind, the foregoing Fowls, 

 observations apply to fowl, as well as other animals. 

 Fighting of all kinds I am an enemy to ; cocking I never 

 see, nor do 1 like to hear of it. The foregoing observa* 

 tions are hastily written, but rest on the best founda- 

 tion." 



Mr. Sandevir, an eminent surgeon at Newmarket, re- 

 turned in substance, the following information to Sir John 

 Sinclair. 



The training of jockies of high repute is continued or Particular ac- 



kept up, more or less, from about three weeks before <^o",^^ ^^ '^^ 



Easter to the end of October, which is about eight months : wh^h V^kies 



but a week or ten days are quite sufficient for a rider to are reduced in 



reduce himself from his natural weight to a stone and a ^"S.^J» ^^' ^^ 



'-' consists m talc- 



half below it. They breakfast very sparingly on bread ing little food 



and butter, with tea : dinner, tisb, or else pudding with *"4 ^^^^ ^^' 

 ' - ; ? r » ercisc. 



very 



