HORSEBACK RIDING. 87 



pepsia, whether this manifests itself chiefly by a ten- 

 dency to flatulence, or dependent upon catarrh of the 

 intestines, which is so often an accompaniment of this 

 disease. 



In using this treatment, we would advise that an 

 easy-gaited animal be chosen ; that early morning be 

 the time selected ; that the pace be a gentle gallop or 

 canter, and that the exercise be not so prolonged as 

 to induce fatigue. But advising to-day horse-back 

 riding as a cure for hypochondria is only repeating 

 the recommendation of Sydenham, made nearly a 

 century ago. He relates a case of a young priest, 

 who, suffering greatly from this trouble, was com- 

 pletely cured by this form of exercise alone. 



b. Muscular Debility. — Before studying the effect 

 of exercise upon the muscular system, a few words as 

 to the functions performed by muscular tissues are 

 necessary. Within all muscular tissue, more espe- 

 cially if they are exercised, active combustion takes 

 place, the heat evolved producing one of two 

 effects : 1st. If utilized immediately, it is converted 

 into motion ; it may be used to aid in the meta- 

 morphosis by Avhich portions of the body are re- 

 newed or destroyed, or to increase the organic ex- 

 changes. 



Muscular debility is generally the result of de- 

 rangement of the organic functions, and, finally, acting 

 reciprocally, seriously affects nutrition. Horse-back 

 riding cannot here fail to render signal service, since 



