94 HORSE-BACK RIDING. 



influence of exercise, proportioned, both as regards 

 severity and duration, to the strength and condition 

 of the individual, the circulation is increased in force 

 and frequency, the amount of effete material voided 

 by the skin increased, the secretion of mucous mem- 

 branes lessened, and the digestive and assimilative 

 powers improved. One of the most efficacious means, 

 then, that can be employed by the physician, in cor- 

 recting vicious tendencies in an organ or rebuilding 

 a shattered frame, is a properly arranged system of 

 diet and exercise ; these two means are the foundation 

 upon which has been built up the science to which 

 Royer-Collard has given the name of Organoplas- 

 tique. We regard these means all the more favorably 

 since they not only work directly, but by causing a 

 portion of the psychical force which would otherwise 

 be expended in destroying the body, to be used in 

 opposing the disease, thus reducing the nervous ex- 

 citability, which is in certain cases the worst form 

 with which the physician has to deal. 



Among the remedies that have been regarded by 

 both ancients and moderns as of especial benefit in 

 phthisis, exercise on horse-back stands in the first 

 rank. 



Sydenham considered it the specific in such cases, 

 and probably the best way to show with what favor 

 he regarded horse-back riding is to quote his state- 

 ment : 



"Some relatives of mine," says he, " who have 



