8o HORSE-BACK RIDING. 



from the same number of hours per day spent in a 

 gymnasium, the daily amount of exercise may be so 

 proportioned that the effect shall be equal, and that, 

 too, without causing so much fatigue. 



The oxidations of sugar-forming material, if less 

 intense than in gymnasium training, are longer con- 

 tinued, and keep pace with the formation of the 

 sugar. It has the advantage of giving better air, and 

 some degree of mental occupation. 



The pleasure to be derived from a ride on horse- 

 back will often overcome the disposition to laziness 

 and inaction which is very often a cause of injury to 

 the sufferer from diabetes, while the knowledge that 

 he had to undergo an hour's hard work would be 

 very likely to keep him away from the gymnasium. 



j. Obesity. — Obesity is either the result of an 

 hereditary taint or of an acquired diathesis, and is 

 due to a deficient oxidation or combustion of those 

 substances which are transformed into fat in the 

 organism. 



Alimentation, though it plays a great part in the 

 production of this trouble, is not its only cause, since 

 slowness of circulation, especially that in the capil- 

 laries, produces this condition. With the develop- 

 ment of this disposition, the chemical exchanges 

 which should take place between the blood and the 

 tissues are incomplete, the assimilative function is 

 disturbed, the action of the nerves which preside over 

 nutrition is altered, and the functions of the skin, 



