198 EXERCISE OF THE LUNGS. 



fatiguing and hurtful, and often brought on cough, 

 and occasionally^ a slight spitting of blood. At that 

 time, riding on horseback, which exercises the 

 body without hurrying the breathing, was especially 

 useful. The advantage of these exercises in giving 

 tone and capacity to the lungs, where debility rather 

 than disease is complained of, is shown in their 

 being regularly resorted to in preparing for the 

 race-course and for the field. The true sportsman 

 puts himself in training as well as his dog or his 

 horse, and fits himself for the moors by regular ex- 

 cursions previous to the 12th of August. By so 

 doing he improves his wind and increases his mus- 

 cular strength to a remarkable extent in a very short 

 time. 



When no active pulmonary disease exists, these 

 -exercises may, with the best effects, be frequently 

 carried so far as to induce free perspiration ; only 

 great care ought to be taken immediately after, to 

 rub the surface of the body thoroughly dry, and to 

 change the dress. It is quite ascertained, that with 

 these precautions perspiration from exercise is the 

 reverse of debilitating. It equalizes and gently 

 stimulates the circulation, relieves the internal or- 

 gans, improves digestion, and invigorates the skin. 

 Jackson testifies strongly to these results when he 

 declares that the severe exercise incurred in train- 

 ing not only improves the lungs, but always renders 

 the skin " quite clear, even though formerly subject to 

 eruptions"* These assertions are, of course, to be 

 received as the statements of a man partial to his 

 own art ; but they are in accordance with experi- 

 ence, and with the laws of the animal functions, so 

 far as these are known. They therefore merit the 

 consideration of professional men, and of those 

 whose features are often disfigured by eruptions 



* Code of Health, 5th edition. Appendix, p. 37. 



