PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. 46 



53. Our prize-fighters are not allowed stimulants or 

 tobacco, either during the time of their training, or on 

 the day of their battle — not even during their fighting. 

 The training of the prize-fighter, with some modification, 

 appears admirably adapted to the rearing of soldiers, es- 

 pecially young recruits. I understand boat-racers, like 

 pugilists, are prohibited tobacco. See Lancet for 2d 

 May, 1857. The huntsman who indulges in a glass of 

 brandy (jumping powder) on the morning of the chase, 

 does not ride to hounds like the sober rider. The Iron 

 Duke, or any other true sportsman, never indulged on 

 the morning of a hunt with fox-hounds. The hunter, 

 or horse, gets only a small feed of oats, on the morning 

 of his going out to hounds. The fox-hound gets no food 

 on the day of his chase. The greyhound, like the fox- 

 hound, is fed the day before. The race-horse gets only 

 half a feed of oats on the morning of his race. 



64. Thus men and animals, intended for a hard day's 

 work, depend on the stamina acquired by previous train- 

 ing, and not on immediate stimulus. It is evident, that 

 had mankind never indulged in stimulants or narcotics, 

 they would have been earlier advanced in civilization, 

 humanity, and morality — would have had stronger phy- 

 sical and higher mental powers. Let us read only the 

 history of the great Franklin. He who smokes and 

 drinks has his mind stupefied, like the opium-eater, or 

 the wine-bibber, or the brandy, whisky, or ale-drinker. 

 It is only what his mind has previously learned that he 

 makes, or can make use of. He cannot advance a step 

 farther. 



55. The cases of diseased brain and spinal cord oc- 

 16 



