Part 7
Take a Turkish bath, or the whole body should be stripped and immediately wrapped in a sheet wrung out of cold water, but not so as to get rid of all the water; then, rolling the patient in a thick blanket, inclosing the arms, like a mummy, he is placed beneath a feather bed, covering all up to the chin. In a quarter of an hour or so reaction comes on, and a most profuse perspiration breaks out over the whole body. When the sweating has continued from an hour to an hour and a half, everything should be taken off, and cold water poured over the whole body by means of a shower bath; then rub dry and clothe.
SWEATING LIQUORS.
A scruple of Dover’s powder at night, or half a pint of whey made with white wine, and with thirty drops each of antimonial wine, and sweet spirits of nitre added. Care should be taken to rub the whole body with horse-hair gloves night and morning.
TREATMENT OF THE FEET, HANDS, SINEWS, ETC.
The chief cause of tender feet rests with the socks and shoes or boots in which the pedestrian may commence his work. By no means attempt work in new boots, or in those, however well seasoned, that are not of sufficient length and width in the tread and across the toes. The thickness, so as they are of a sound double sole and perfectly water-tight at the lower part, does not so much matter; but a few days’ use will soon prove to the training man that a rather stout pair will keep his feet sounder and be of more comfort to him, in a long journey, than the lighter kind, Different men, however, are of various opinions; but Westhall, during a long experience, found that a pair of boots laced up the front and reaching a trifle above the ankle and of medium stoutness, answered every purpose required by anyone who is satisfied with doing well. A very thick pair, of course, may be kept in reserve for very wet and muddy weather, when slow work only will be advisable to be taken. Should the pedestrian, however, be obstinate, and take fast work in the heavy boots, he will in most cases be punished by sore shins, which will prove a source of such trouble that the lighter sort of boots will be in requisition for the future. The socks should be of an easy fit and of fine warm lambs’-wool. The chief care about the socks, however, is taking the precaution that a pair of socks should never be worn a second time until thoroughly aired, and if possible a supply should be so provided that they may be rinsed out in cold water, and then dried before again being worn.
The above precautions will prove of the greatest value to those who have feet given to sweating, and in some instances have proved an effectual cure for the inconvenience. The toenails should be attended to regularly, and the shape of the foot will be the best criterion for their treatment. To prevent the hands from swelling, a short stick or switch, carried in the hand will be efficacious while walking about. Strains are of frequent occurrence, and chiefly arise from the man making some sudden effort when the tendons or the fascia (the thin covering) of the muscles are stiff and sore from previous hard work. The tendon Achilles--from the heel to the calf of the leg--is the principal seat of the most dangerous of the strains of the tendons, and is incurable except by rest, and that of some duration. Should there be any swelling and hardening of the injured portion of the tendon, _do not_ attempt any methods of self-treatment, but seek _medical_ advice. All strains are assisted in their cure by bandaging, but they should not be applied until hot fomentations for some time have been applied, and finished up by the application of the embrocation, with plenty of friction, before a fire.
SOFT CORNS.--Pick off with the nails as much as possible; next day apply caustic, rubbing it in; afterward keep a piece of carded cotton between the toes night and day.
HARD CORNS.--Pare off the hard cuticle; then apply tincture of iodine with a brush or caustic.
HARDENING THE FLESH.--Lemon juice is one of the simplest and best for rubbing on the hand. Horseradish grated and mixed with vinegar is also good. Whiskey poured in the shoe is frequently used.
BUNIONS.--Apply two or three leeches every day for a week; when the bites are well, brush with tincture of iodine every other day. An application of “Papier Fayard” is sometimes very beneficial.
BOILS.--Apply linseed poultice, or open it with a knife. If on the “seat of honor,” apply a plaster spread on leather, and composed of equal parts of mercurial and opiate plaster. Do not use the knife. To those subject to boils use the following as a preventative: take nitrate of silver, from fifteen to twenty grains to the ounce, made into a wash, and paint the surface every night. This turns the skin black, but do not mind that.
STRAINS.--The following is the receipt of Westhall’s stimulating embrocation: Spirits of wine, ¼ pint; spirits of turpentine, ¼ pint; white vinegar, ¼ pint. Mix thoroughly, warm by the fire, beat up a fresh egg, and mix gradually with the spirits, etc.; shake the bottle well.
SPRAINS.--For sprained ankle, make a flannel bag about a foot long by six inches wide, which fill with bran and plunge into boiling water until thoroughly saturated; then squeeze almost dry, and apply it as hot as the patient can bear on the weak part. There should be a couple of bags, so that when one application gets cool fresh heat may be immediately applied.
CHAPPED HANDS, ETC.--Smear over the parts chapped with glycerine, by means of a brush or feather, night and morning.
BLISTERS.--Prick with a fine needle before they burst, inserting the needle obliquely, and the water presses out, repeating whenever the blister fills again. If the blister is broken, apply collodion with a brush; if too painful, use finely carded medicated cotton in a thin layer, under a kid glove, or powdered gum-arabic, taking care to keep the hands from water for twenty-four hours. For feet blisters, spread a piece of kid with soap-plaster, applying over the skin; also bathe in strong salt water mixed with powdered alum and vinegar. If large, run a stocking-needle threaded with white worsted through; then cut the end off, leaving the worsted in the blister until the water runs out. Do not leave off washing the feet in salt water, etc., as this will act as a preventative.
EXERCISE, SUN BATHS, ETC.
The increasing interest in the matter of healthy exercise is shown by the number of athletic clubs and gymnasiums throughout the country, especially so in our colleges of learning and public institutions. Most of these have every gymnastic appliance, as also professors to give instruction; but where such do not exist a complete outfit at a very moderate expense can be obtained, all ready for use. The rowing machine has been previously described. The health lift, as a gentle exercise, is rapidly becoming an institution of necessity to persons of sedentary habits, and brings into action, when properly used, as many muscles of the human frame as any other exercise, and yet consumes but a few moments of time daily, which of itself is an important item to brain-workers and industrious humanity generally. It is so adjustable as to be alike suited for the weakest, strongest, shortest and tallest persons of either sex. Indian clubs, dumb-bells, trapeze bar and rings and striking bag may all be readily obtained, and, simpler still for in-door exercise, Goodyear’s Patent Parlor Gymnasium, which can be used by ladies and children without any fear of strain or the slightest jar to the system. Dr. Dio Lewis, in his work on New Gymnastics, gives a series of movements and illustrations without the aid of any auxiliaries, so that there can be no possible excuse for neglecting exercise. Sun and air baths, involving no expense, can always be had. By these we mean exposing the body naked a certain portion of the day to their effects. It was the custom of John Quincy Adams to walk up and down his bedroom nude, and with open windows as a preventative of colds. This he practiced both winter and summer, with the desired effect, living to be over eighty. With a view still more to the assistance and preservation of nature, General Pleasanton has written an elaborate work, claiming wonderful effects in nervous diseases from the sun’s rays as reflected through blue glass panes, and his theory is extensively practiced with very encouraging results. Dr. Samuel R. Elliott of this city, an athlete as well as a very skillful physician and scientist, has found that in some cases the blue glass alone produces too strong an effect, and believes that alternate blue and white strips, two or three inches wide, engender the proper form and quantity of electricity; and we therefore suggest that his plan be adopted. The patient should sit for an hour or more daily in such position that, whatever part of the body is affected, may be acted upon by the rays thus received. Where advice can be had it is better to obtain it, as all persons cannot even take electricity in the same manner, quantity or proportion. The glass should not be colored on the surface alone, but through and through, of a deep mazarine hue.
BATHS--HOT, COLD, ETC.
The use of water cannot be too much applied to any athlete as regards outward application, but of course cold is the most beneficial if the constitution of the recipient be of sufficient vigor; and there are but very few indeed who are so delicate as to require tepid or warm water; but even the latter are better than the absence, even partially, of the bath. Cold baths may be taken anyhow and anywhere, provided the whole of the body is immersed or thoroughly sponged over, but the most decided benefit will be derived from the plunge bath. However, equally successful results may be gained by the use of a large bath well filled with water, the body being well sluiced with the water from a large sponge. The shower is also of great benefit, but in some conditions of body the sudden shock has rendered the nervous system so irritable that it has undone all the good intended by the reaction. Where there is not the convenience of a bath of any kind, a towel dipped in water and the body thoroughly and briskly rubbed will insure a thorough cleansing of the pores of the skin, and of course a proportionate share of vigor given to the frame. In the present system of training, the pedestrian puts on his sweaters and does the work set him by his trainer, and then, when he is in a state of perfect perspiration, he throws off his wet and reeking flannels, and takes his shower with the greatest unconcern, knowing that the friction which is afterwards applied will restore the proper heat of the body after the sudden shock of the shower has closed the pores of the skin for the time and relieved him of all his previous fatigue. The rubbing restores the circulation of the small blood-vessels of the skin, and so strong and fresh do the pedestrians feel after this treatment that, when dressed, they all declare they feel no remains of their previous fatigue. Nothing but good has accrued from the treatment, and those who have undergone a trial of the sweat and shower swear by the method.
The Turkish bath is only fit to reduce an infirm and obese man to something like weight to begin work, and can only be looked upon as a luxury, and not an adjunct to training, besides being far from healthy. The hot bath is of course required when a man is stiff and tired all over from cold or overfatigue, when they will modify the symptoms; but, as they are so simple and so easily obtainable, they require no further comment. A vapor bath is of considerable use in assisting a healthy and fat man to reduce his weight; but after sweating he must be rubbed with a wet cloth, or have a shower; he should then put on a set or two of flannels, and do at least an hour of severe work, during which time the reducing process will be going on in perfection. On arriving home the wet towel should be applied, or a sponging with cold water; after a good rub, and fresh clothing being donned, it will be found there has been a good morning’s work accomplished.
The vapor bath can be made in a very home-spun and simple manner, but equally efficacious with those attached to baths of large name, etc. A washing or any other flat tub, a third filled with very hot water, in which is placed a stool, will do for the ground-work of the vapor. Take your seat on the stool, the feet of course outside the tub, and be well covered with blankets round the neck, and round the tub, leaving an opening which can be closed at leisure. Having heated two or three large bricks to a red heat, put one into the water, and when cooled another, until the bath has been prolonged a sufficient time. This is a primitive but a very useful bath to put into use to relieve a bad cold, or for any other service required at a short notice.
THIRST, MEDICINE, ETC.
The chief punishment when a man is in the course of training requisite to reduce his bulk is thirst, which is in most cases of rather a severe character. The same amount of pluck which enables the man to go through his work and adhere to other rules must be here called into requisition. The best plan is to gargle the mouth, but not swallow any; but the application of cold water will be found to afford the greatest relief--washing the hands, wrists, and face freely will give relief; a little pebble kept in the mouth is a very good thing, but faithfully avoid all nostrums such as cream of tartar, tartaric acid, etc., when suffering from thirst, as they only gratify the palate without relieving the craving for liquid immediately the acid taste has passed, when the before troublesome feeling becomes much augmented. Should relief, however, become imperative, a small portion of powdered nitre will be followed by an immediate flow of saliva, which will give instant but unfortunately only partial ease. There, however, is no increase of the symptoms from the application of the remedy, which will assist the action of the kidneys, and allay the accompanying fever of the system. The chief cure is to wait until the next meal-time, when the previous abstinence from stolen enjoyment will be rewarded by an approving conscience in having resisted a severe temptation. The thirst will leave a man when he leaves off sweating.
WEIGHT AS PROPORTIONAL TO HEIGHT.
HEIGHT. WEIGHT.
5ft. 1in. should be 120 pounds. 5ft. 2in. 126 “ 5ft. 3in. 133 “ 5ft. 4in. 136 “ 5ft. 5in. 142 “ 5ft. 6in. 145 “ 5ft. 7in. 148 “ 5ft. 8in. 155 “ 5ft. 9in. 162 “ 5ft. 10in. 169 “ 5ft. 11in. 174 “ 6ft. ---- 178 “
The above table was formed by Dr. Hutchingson, and was taken from a mean average of 2,648 healthy men. By this scale life insurances are regulated in England. The Doctor’s calculations were made upon the volume of air passing in and out of the lungs, and this was his guide as to how far the various organs of the body were in health, and the lungs in particular.
WEIGHT WHEN IN CONDITION FOR ATHLETIC FEATS.
HEIGHT. WEIGHT.
5ft. 1in. From 106 to 111 pounds. 5ft. 2in. 112 “ 115 “ 5ft. 3in. 117 “ 118 “ 5ft. 4in. 119 “ 125 “ 5ft. 5in. 125 “ 129 “ 5ft. 6in. 128 “ 134 “ 5ft. 7in. 133 “ 140 “ 5ft. 8in. 140 “ 147 “ 5ft. 9in. 148 “ 154 “ 5ft. 10in. 155 “ 163 “ 5ft. 11in. 165 “ 174 “ 6ft. ---- 175 “ 186 “
The proper measurement according to the height and weight:
MEASUREMENTS.
Height 5 feet. Weight 103 pounds. Neck 12 inches. Chest (uninflated) 32½ “ Wrist 5½ “ Ankle 7⅔ “
ALLOWANCES.
The following allowances should be made where the dimensions are found to be greater than shown in the preceding table:
For every inch in height 1¾ pounds. For every inch around neck ¾ “ For every inch around chest 1 “ For every ⅛ inch around wrist ½ “ For every ⅛ inch around ankle 1 “
BANTING ON CORPULENCY.
The system of reducing corpulency as adopted by William Banting, an old retired merchant of London, England, in 1863-4, by the advice and direction of Doctor William Harvey, of Soho square, in that city, though not by any means admissible or advisable for training purposes, we give the substance for the benefit of any one who feels interested. At the time Mr. Banting commenced his reducing system he was sixty-six years of age, weighed 202 pounds, standing only 5ft. 5in. in height, and, having spent seven years in consultation with the greatest medical lights of England for relief of his affliction, but in vain. He had followed an active business life of fifty years, and attributed his obesity not to neglect of necessary bodily activity nor from excessive eating, drinking, or self-indulgence of any kind, except that he partook of simple aliments of bread, milk, butter, beer, sugar, and potatoes more freely than his aged nature required, and hence he believes the generation of the parasite, detrimental to comfort, if not really to health. He tried both rowing before breakfast for two hours and other bodily exercises; also sea air and bathing in various localities; took gallons of physic and liqure potassae, rode much on horseback, and tried the waters and climate of various springs in England, as well as Turkish and vapor baths, shampooing, etc. Banting could not stoop to tie his shoe, had to walk backwards down stairs to save the jar of increased weight upon the ankle and knee-joints, puffed and blowed at every exertion, particularly going up stairs, suffered from an umbilical rupture, had to wear a truss as well as knee bandages, his sight failed and hearing became impaired, he had indigestion, heartburn, palpitation of the heart, and could not attend to the little offices which humanity required without considerable pain and difficulty, which only the corpulent man can understand.
Upon consulting Dr. Harvey, previously alluded to, he was told that all his ailments were caused principally by corpulence, and prescribed a certain diet, no medicine beyond a morning cordial as a corrective, with immense effect and advantage both to his hearing and the decrease of his corpulence. The items from which he was advised to abstain as much as possible were bread, butter, milk, sugar, parsnips, beet root, turnips, carrots, champagne, port, beer and potatoes, on account of their containing starch or saccharine matter, tending to create fat; smoking was not prohibited. This is the diet prescribed by Doctor Harvey: for breakfast, four or five ounces of beef, mutton, kidneys, broiled fish, bacon, or cold meat of any kind except pork, owing to its fattening character; or veal, on account of its indigestible quality; a large cup of tea (without milk or sugar), a little biscuit, or one ounce of dry toast; for dinner, five or six ounces of any fish except salmon, herrings and eels (owing to their oily nature); any meat except pork or veal; any vegetable except potato, parsnips, beet root, turnips or carrots; one ounce of dry toast, fruit out of a pudding, any kind of poultry or game, and two or three glasses of good claret, sherry, or madeira; for tea, two or three ounces of fruit, a rusk or two, and a cup of tea without milk or sugar; for supper, three or four ounces of meat, or fish, similar to dinner, with a glass or two of claret--night-cap, if required, a tumbler of grog (gin, whiskey, or brandy, without sugar) or a glass or two of claret or sherry. Eggs, if not hard boiled, are unexceptionable; also cheese, if sparingly used, and plain boiled rice.
On rising in the morning, between six and seven, Banting took a tablespoonful of a special corrective cordial, not aperient, and partook of solids and liquids as follows: about five or six ounces solid and eight of liquid for breakfast; eight ounces of solid and eight ounces of liquid for dinner; three ounces of solid and eight of liquid for tea; four ounces of solid and six ounces of liquid for supper and the grog afterwards. He took his meals as follows: breakfast between eight and nine; dinner between one and two; tea between five and six; supper at nine. His former dietary table was bread and milk for breakfast, or a pint of tea with plenty of milk and sugar, and buttered toast; meat, beer, much bread, and pastry for dinner; the tea similar to that of breakfast, and generally a fruit tart or bread and milk for supper.
THE REDUCING SCALE.
Under the new dietary, Banting lost flesh according to the following scale:
On 7th September it was 200 pounds, having lost 2 pounds. “ 27th September “ 197 “ “ “ 3 more. “ 19th October “ 193 “ “ “ 4 “ “ 9th November “ 190 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 3d December “ 187 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 24th December “ 184 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 14th January “ 182 “ “ “ 2 “ “ 4th February “ 180 “ “ “ 2 “ “ 25th February “ 178 “ “ “ 2 “ “ 18th March “ 176 “ “ “ 2 “ “ 8th April “ 173 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 29th April “ 170 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 20th May “ 164 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 10th June “ 164 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 1st July “ 161 “ “ “ 3 “ “ 22d July “ 159 “ “ “ 2 “ “ 12th August “ 157 “ “ “ 2 “ “ 26th August “ 156 “ “ “ 1 “ “ 12th September “ 156 “ “ “ 0 “ -- Total loss of weight 46 pounds.
His girth during that time was reduced round the waist 12¼ inches; these desiderati were attained by the most easy and comfortable means, with but little medicine, and almost entirely by a system of diet. At the end of one year Banting asserts that he was restored in health, both bodily and mentally, had more muscular vigor, ate and drank with a good appetite, and slept well; all symptoms of acidity, indigestion and heartburn vanished; he left off using boot-hooks and other such aids, which were before indispensable; he lost all feeling of occasional faintness; left off knee-bandages, which he had worn for twenty years, and gave up a truss almost entirely.
Corpulence, says Banting, though giving no actual pain, must naturally press with undue violence upon the bodily viscera, driving one part upon another, and stopping the free action of all.