TRAINING OF ANIMALS, &C. 3J3 



thofe, who linger away their hours In luxurious and Indolent 

 relaxations, were to affign a regular portion of their time to 

 the hardy and manly exercifes of walking, riding, fencing, 

 S:c, and would take tlteir breathing hour, they would breathe 

 long and well. 



Thefe refie6tions naturally arife upon confidering thealmofl The art of train. 

 incredible perfedion, to which thofe, whofe profeffion it is to'"^ m/n to 



^ ,- athletic exercifes 



tram men to athletic exercifes, have brought their refpedive is wonderfully 

 arts. By certain proceffes, they improve the breath, the '^^'=^'^^* 

 flrength, and the courage of thofe they take in hand, fo as to 

 enable them to run thirty, or walk a hundred miles, in a given 

 fpace of time; to excel in wreftling; or to challenge a pro- 

 fefled boxer. Would it not then be a mofi: important addition 

 to the fa6is we already know concerning the means of im- 

 proving ftrength, and enfuring long life, if authentic infor- 

 mation could be procured from thofe diflricts where athletic 

 exercifes prevail, what are efteemed the befi: and furefl pro- 

 cetTes for training men for foot-races, trials of ftrength in 

 wreftling or boxing matches, or for raifing the ftrength and 

 courage of game-cocks, or improving the wind, ftrength, and 

 fpeed of running horfes to their higheft pitch.* 



Thofe who give themfeives out as (kilful in this art, attend Some account 

 to the ftate of the bowels, the flcin, and the lungs. They ufe °*' ^^^ '"^^hod?, 

 fuch means as reduce the cellular or fatty fubftance, and in- 

 vigorate the mufcular fibres. When they take a man in train- 

 ing for any feat of this kind, he is not oiled and fuppled as 

 the ancient athletics were; for as their common modes of life 

 were hardy and active, they needed no other preparation : 

 but he is fweated, purged, and dieted, and then put upon trial. 

 He is purged with very draftic purges, to reduce his grolfnefs. 

 He is made to walk out under a load of clothes ; his walks are 

 regularly increafed, and a certain number of times a-week ; 

 he is laid between two feather-beds ; fweat promoted by 

 drinks ; his limbs taken from between the feather-beds, fuc- 

 ceffively, and rubbed very roughly. After enduring for many 



* Though not immediately connefted with the objeft of thi? 

 paper, it may not be improper to fuggeft, that it virould be of great 

 importance, if medical gentlemen, whether in the army or navy, 

 who have been on fervice, were nlfo to point out the varioiis cir- 

 cumflances which tended to fupport, or to abate, the Ibengthand 

 courage of the foldier or the faiior, 



hour.<; 



