HYGIENE. 465 



We cannot be too particular in this respect, although many 

 old veterans may laugh at our remarks, as tending perhaps to 

 effeminacy, and say that such precautions are suitable only for 

 "dandy Sportsmen," but quite beneath the notice of one accus- 

 tomed to braving all kinds of atmospheric changes while in 

 pursuit of game either by land or water, and perfectly regard- 

 less of heat or cold, w^ind or rain. To these we reply, in a 

 hacknej^ed but nevertheless appropriate phrase, chaciin a son 

 gout; but at the same time we do not deny that there may be 

 some few who can brave all these extraordinary exposures, 

 without apparently suffering any particular inconvenience at 

 the time ; but we may recollect, also, that many have passed 

 through the impending dangers of a long and arduous campaign, 

 and come out from its perils unscathed, perhaps to die from the 

 prick of a needle or the scratch of a rusty nail. Thus it may 

 be with sume of those who ridicule such precautions as every 

 sensible man should take to ward off the bad effects of impru- 

 dent exposure to the changeable and trying climate of our 

 Northern and Eastern States. 



"An ounce of precaution, at all events, is worth a pound of 

 cure;" and no Sportsman will do himself any harm by atten- 

 tion to the few hygienic rules that we are about proposing for 

 his future comfort. He will rather derive much benefit from 

 them, and be able at an advanced age to exclaim — 



" Temperance, Joj', and Repose, 

 Slam the door upon the Doctor's nose." 



If wet after returning home, the clothing by all means should 

 be changed as speedily as possible, and, if necessary, a little 

 warm spirits may be taken. A cup of hot tea or coffee will 

 often answer every good purpose, particularly with those unac- 

 customed to the stimulus of strong drink. Nothing is more 

 apt to produce a catarrhal or rheumatic affection than the per- 

 nicious habit of remaining in wet clothes after coming from the 

 field, more particularly the careless and common practice of 

 keeping on wet stockings. Off" with them at once, or your 

 joints will ache long before you have seen two score and ten, 

 and the sports of the field will no longer hold out any charms 

 for your rheumatic limbs. Do not sit nodding and toasting 

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