78 THE TURF 



and has more strength to contend with a 

 determined horse in a severe race, when 

 moderately reduced, than when allowed to 

 live as he pleased, although he never weighs 

 more than nine stone, and has frequently 

 reduced himself to seven.' l 



The present system of wasting varies 

 from the one here described, and particu- 

 larly as to the length of the walk, which 

 appears to have been unnecessarily severe. 

 The modern Newmarket jockey seldom 

 exceeds four miles out, and then he has a 

 house to stop at in which there is a large 

 fire, by which the perspiration is very much 

 increased. Indeed, it sometimes becomes 

 so excessive, that he may be seen scraping 

 it off the uncovered parts of his person 

 after the manner in which the race-horse 

 is scraped, using a small horn for the pur- 

 pose. After sitting a while by the fire and 

 drinking some diluted liquid, he walks back 

 to Newmarket, swinging his arms as he 

 proceeds, which increases the muscular 

 action. Sufficiently cool to strip, his body 

 is rubbed dry and fresh clothed, when, 



1 Arnull died at the age of 62; Fitzpatrick at 42, 

 from a cold taken in wasting. 



