Modern Athletics 1868

TRAINING. 79 The following embrocation, originally introduced by Mr. Charles Westhall, may be useful:—"Spirits of wine, a quarter of a pint; spirits of turpentine, a quarter of a pint; white vinegar, aquarter ofa pint. Mix the above ingredients thoroughly, and place before the fire until slightly warm. Beat up thoroughly a new-laid egg, and mix gradually with the spirits, &c.t,aking great care that the bottle iswell shaken from time to time." For blisters, the bestmethod is to lance the skiwnith a needle, never with a pin, and press the waterout; they will then generally heal up in a short time. Should the skin become badly broken, the foot mustbe well bathed inwarm water, and the part keptprotected by a bandage of lint, well soaked in Goulard water. Blisters generally occur in training forwalking matches rather than in running. Corns are usually caused by tight-fitting boots, asnhdould be extracted, as soon as possible, by bathing them in hot water. But in all these prevention is better than cure. For other more serious accidents, sucahs rupture,sprained ankles, and the like, the pedestrian should immediately seek the best medical advice obtainable, and on no account attempt a selfcure. In conclusion, anathlete should confine himself exclu­ sively to that kindof exercise which suits him best, if he wishes to be a proficient, and at the same time recollect that there is "moderation in training" as in othethrings. Vary few men are A 1all round; in fact, the only man that has ever been so among professionals is Charles "Westhall; among amateurs thleate Captain Barclay, and perhaps, in the present day, E. B. Michell,of Magdalen College, Oxford, and J. G.Chambers, of Trinity College, Cambridge, both of whom are celebratedon landand water. A novice should never attempt self-training, but always seek the advice of some experienced person, an amateur if possible, as professionals are too often apt to train by a stereotyped code of rules, without studying the peculi­ arities of each constitution. Be it ever remembered, how­ ever, a man anywhere weak by nature should never at­ tempt training without the permission of his medical adviser.