ILL EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH REST 91 



substance. This is particularly exemplified in the 

 human subject ; for, let a man forego the use of one 

 of his legs for twelve months, the muscles of that 

 leg will fall away, though they will in some measure 

 recover on his resuming the action of the limb. With 

 horses lame in the feet this is also plainly shown. The 

 muscles of the chest fall away, because they are not 

 called into their proper action, which a cripple has not 

 the power of doing, although he may work every day. 

 This gave rise to the vulgar, but now nearly exploded 

 idea of chest-foundered horses, whereas such a com- 

 plaint does not exist. The evil lies in the feet ; and 

 the wasting of the muscles of the chest is the effect, 

 and not the cause. In strong work, when a horse is 

 sound every muscle and fibre of his body are braced, 

 as it were, until they become as tough as whipcord. 



Not only the muscles of the body, but the lungs 

 also, are powerfully strengthened by good work. The 

 quickness of respiration by repeated galloping produces 

 an elasticity in these organs far above their ordinary 

 powers ; and as, particularly w4th hunters, wind is 

 strength, it is a consideration of the highest importance 

 to a man who rides over a country, as far as himself, 

 as well as his horse, is concerned, that his hunter be 

 in good wind, for without it the best fencer is power- 

 less and dangerous. 



As far as relates to the proper attenuation of the 

 blood, the advantage of frequent sweating is too obvious 

 to require much notice here. Let a horse, highly fed, 

 have nothing but walking exercise for some time, 

 and the first day he is made to perspire his sweat will 



