558 THE HORSE. 



time allowed, and the temperament and condition of the 

 patient. The dress is of stout soft flannel, and generally 

 consists of from two to three pairs of drawers, and from four 

 to six waistcoats and jackets, and over all a suit of loose 

 common clothes. The jockey having taken some light food, 

 starts early in the morning on his walk. Pie commences at 

 a moderate pace, which he gradually increases ; and having 

 gone a distance of four miles or more, he has usually a room 

 prepared, in which he can partake of some warm liquid. 

 Having somewhat rested himself, he returns homeward at 

 a smart pace, usually swinging his arms to increase the 

 muscular action. Entering the house in a state of profuse 

 perspiration, 'he takes some warm liquid, and reposes for 

 an hour or more covered with blankets : when the per- 

 spiration has subsided, he places his feet in warm water, 

 sponges his body, and dresses himself as usual, taking care 

 that his clothing is sufficiently warm, and avoiding unneces- 

 sary exposure to cold and moisture. He retires to rest at 

 an early hour, and rises betimes to renew his walk. Coin- 

 cidently with this exercise, he observes a strict and abste- 

 mious diet : his common food is tea and plain toast, with a 

 little animal food at noon. Distilled liquors are proscribed, 

 and the only fermented one allowed is wine, and this in the 

 smallest quantity, and largely diluted. Aperient medicines 

 are sometimes used by those who dislike severe walking, but 

 never with such good effect as the simple exercise. Under this 

 system a man can reduce his weight a pound or more in the 

 day, without injury to his general health, or temporary im- 

 pairment of his natural vigour. On the contrary, all jockeys 

 admit that they receive benefit from the training process, and 

 that it is only when they return suddenly to a system of re- 

 pletion that inconvenience is experienced. When jockeys 

 exceeding the required weight are in practice throughout the 

 racing season, they must keep to this system of diet with 

 extreme rigour. Relaxation even for a single day will in- 

 crease the weight of the body many pounds. A single glass 



