Io8 HORSE-BACK RIDING. 



organism, if it does not restore to a sickly one its 

 normal vigor, and which must be therefore regarded 

 as a hygienic remedy of the greatest importance. 



All good things, as we know, when abused may 

 become active agents of evil, and the best remedy 

 when given at the wrong time, or without proper 

 regard to the dose, age, temperament, or idiosyncrasy, 

 may be the cause of grave trouble, and this is the 

 case with horse-back riding. Wisely directed, it is 

 an excellent means of cure ; wrongly employed or 

 abused, it may prove a cause of disease. By abuse I 

 do not mean only a too prolonged but too violent 

 exercise, as when there is too great a disproportion 

 between the action of the horse and the strength of 

 the rider. 



Horse-back riding is injurious in all acute diseases, 

 even where the weakness of some organs would seem 

 to call for its strengthening influence. Want of 

 strength in the rider, the effect of the agitation he 

 must undergo, and the increased local irritation and 

 general excitation that it would produce, all forbid 

 its use. 



In the chronic phlegmasia so often occurring in the 

 pulmonary system, it should be absolutely prohibited, 

 as the already existing oppression would be increased 

 by it, unless the sufferer be willing to walk his horse. 

 In that case, since an opportunity of breathing fresh 

 air without fatigue or excitement would be afforded, 

 the result could be but beneficial. 



