Manual of British Rural Sports by Stonehenge 17th Edition

PREPARATORY TREATMENT. 641 pound tincture of bark, should be taken two or three times a day. If very loose, 20 or 25 drops of laudanum may be added to each dose ; and if very watery, with griping pains, 25 to 30 drops of diluted sulphuric acid may also be given with it. This willalmost always check the diarrhoea, and is also usefiul in giving tone to the stomach and producing an appetite. If more severe remedies arerequired, the aidof a medical man should be sought for. During the period in which thisplan of proceeding is being carried into effect, it is of the greatestconsequence that the mind should be occupied, or rather amused, in some way. This point cannot be too much insisted on, for upon it depends in great measure whether the attempt to restore health to the body shall be successful or the reverse. There is no pointmore neg­ lected, both in thepreparation for train­ ing and in the actual period of severe work, than this,and yet it is really the onewhich ought most tobe inculcated. In the first place, bodily exercise with­ out amusement is mere drudgery—it tires,but does not leadto a restoration of power ; whilst if given with some mental excitement, the fatigue is scarcely felt, and what little is expe­ rienced is speedily followed by a re­ action which asks for more work of a similar character and tendency. Let anyone contrast the effects of a walk orride, without object or companion, with either the one or the other when taken for the purpose of making a call, or with any other specific object, especially in company of an amusing companion. From the former (called a "constitutional," because it does not benefit theconstitution), he lias returned jaded and out of spirits, whilst from the latter he hasexperienced an amount of exhilaration, varying of course with the nature of the object and the agree- ableness of his companion. Nothing conduces more to a successful pro­ secution of this plan of self-treatment than the mutual agreement oftwo per­ sons whose object is thesame, to assist one another by their example. Let two persons agree in earnest to restrain one another when tempted, and also to amuse one another by sparring, or encing, or riding, or walking together, or, indeed, any kind of gymnastic exorcise. This will aid the purpose of oth, as far as therestoration of health is concerned, and they will also find it much more easyto " put the stopper " upon each other than upon themselves. Even if they are not both going into the same kind of training, the prepara­ tion for allkinds is the same,the grand object in all cases being to leave off injurious food and drinks, to avoid smoking andvenery, and totake suffi­ cient exercise conjoined with amuse­ ment, to tire without prostrating the muscular system. The diet should be plain, but varied, lloast beefand mutton, or chops and steaks, with anyvegetables that agree with the individual, may be ndulged in. Poultry, game, and fish, are not injurious ; and even pastry, if good and plain, will do no harm whatever. In fact, almost any wholesome and plainly cooked food except pork and veal may betaken, provided it agrees with the constitution and enough ex­ ercise is taken. It is better to put off the period of rigid dieting to the actual time of training, as the stomach will seldom bear itfor any length of time. In the present day, it is scarcely neces­ sary to inculcate the free use of cold water every morning. It is not de­ sirable to bathe during this time, though in warmweather a mere plunge into a river, or, better still, the sea, is very serviceable ; but at all seasons the whole body should be sponged every morning, using in very cold weather water at the temperature of 60 or 65 degrees of Fahrenheit. The body should be well rubbed with a rough cloth until a glow is produced ; and the aid of an assistant is here very beneficial. Flannel should always be worn next theskin. Such is the com­ paratively easy task of those who have continued to takestrong exercise, con­ comitantly with their free indulgence in wine, tobacco, and all their little etceteras. THE TREATMENT OF INDOLENT FREE- LIVERS , who have indulged themselves in the same way, whilst at the same time their bodieshave been wholly idle, or they have only gone to the limits demanded by the necessity ofseeking for the gratification of their appetites, is much moredifficult. In such a case very strong control is required, and unfortunately it is in such persons generally absent. Few young men indulge themselves in this Avay unless they are of a weak and yielding nature, T T