The Code of Health and Longevity

88 APPENDIX. concerning the means of improving ftrength, and enfuring long life, if authentic information could be procured from thofe diftrifts where athletic exercifes prevail, which are efteemed the beft and furcft procefles for training men for foot races, trials for ftrength in wreftling or boxing- matches, or for raifing the ftrength and courage of game cocks, or improving the wind, ftrength and fpeed, of run­ ning horfes to their higheft pitch *. Thofe who give themfelves out as Ikilful in this art, attend to the ftate of bowels, the Ikin and the lungs. 1 hey ufe fuch means, as reduce the cellular or fatty fub- ftance, and invigorate the mufcular fibres. When they take a man in training 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 aftive, 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 grofl'nefs. He is made to walk out under a load of clothes; his walks are regu­ larly increafed, and a certain number of times a week ; he is laid between two feather-beds ; fweatpromoted by drinks; his limbs taken from between the feather-beds fucceffively, and rubbed very roughly. After enduring for many hours this ftate of fuffocation, he is comforted with a draught of ale or wine. The purges and fweat- ing are repeated, according to the groflnefs of his habit, and from time to time his trainer, (regarding him no otherwife than he would a running-horfe, under the like difcipline), takes him out, and makes trial of his wind and ftrength, and does not ceafe till he has made him as lank * Though not immediately connedled with tke obje(5> of this paper, it may not be improper to fuggeft, that it would be of great importance, if medical gentleman, whether in the army or navy, who have been on. fer- vicc, were alfo to point out the various circumftances which tended to fup- port, or to abate, the ftrength and courage of the foldier or the fnilor.