144 WASTING FOR RACE RIDING. 



the blood is kept pure. Under the influence of a lamp 

 bath, the action of the heart, after a short time, becomes 

 tumultuous, and the breathing laboured, on account of 

 the lungs becoming gorged with impure blood, till at 

 last faintness and marked distress may ensue. By per- 

 sisting in these sweats, the heart is very liable to become 

 permanently injured. 



I have described wasting and Banting from a jockey's 

 point of view, though I am well aware how injurious 

 they are to health, which cannot be maintained, under 

 ordinary conditions, without the consumption of a due 

 proportion of fat or oil, and starch or sugar in the food 

 along with an adequate supply of fresh vegetables. I 

 would strongly advise any of my readers who, being 

 inclined to put up weight, may wish to keep it perma- 

 nently down, on no account to Bant, but to take lots 

 of hard exercise, and to substitute for the usual dinner 

 a light meal consisting of a little cold lean meat, 

 and some plain vegetables. This, with an ordinary 

 breakfast at about lO A.M., and a cup of tea and 

 a slice of toast first thing in the morning, will be 

 enough for any healthy man to keep " fit " on. Beer, 

 butter, stews, fat of all kinds, and pastry should be 

 avoided. 



