Pedestrianism

ON TRAINING. 241 plan, the beneficial effects of thetraining pro­ cess will remain untilthe gradual decay of his natural functions shall, in mature old age, in­ timate the approach of his dissolution. The ancients entertained this opinion.— " Theywere," says Dr. Buchan, " by no means unacquainted with, or inattentive to, these instruments of medicine, although mo­ dern practitioners appear to have no idea of removing disease,or restoring health, but by pouring drugs into the stomach. HERODICUS is said to have been the first who applied the exercises and regimen of the gymnasium to the removal of disease, or the maintenance of health. Among the Romans, ASCLEPIADES carried this so far, that he is said by CELSUS almost to have banished the use of internal remedies from his practice. He was the in­ ventor of pensile beds, which were used to induce sleep, and of various other modes of exercise andgestation, and rose to great emi­ nence as a physician inRome. In his own person he afforded an excellent example of the wisdom of his rules, and the propriety of « H h his