The San Francisco call., 1896-05-17

cases it might be a good thing,
especially if the subject is a man whose
system is out OF order or whose blood is in
bad shape.
The question of whether to take medi-
cine or not previous to entering into train
ing is one which each individual should
decide for himself; but in any case a
''black draught'' or any other violent
physic should be avoided. If you feel
well and hearty no medicine is needed,
but if somewhat under the weather with
out being really sick take dose of citrate
of magnesia, or some mild but effective
pills.
Some people do not need to take any
medicine at all, and to do so would be
wrong. As tor myself, l take dose of
medicine about once in ten years. How
foolish 1t would be, therefore, for me to
take medicine just because old fogies
recommend 1t.
This suggests the very important sub
iect of reducing flesh. When a person is
fat, of course, the superfuous flesh must
come off, but how? Some peoples method
is to take a heavy dose of medicine l
cannot characterize this stronger than to
say that only an idiot or one nearly so
would do such a thing. Reducing flesh is
a serious matter and should never be hur-
ried. 1t is difficult TO prescribe just how
long time must elapse before the athlete
can consider that he Is "uown fine" as far
as weight is concerned. Some people
never need to use any eXertions to keep
their fat down; others must watch them
selves and the scales, while third class
must be martyrs to the effort of keeping
fat from accumuladng.
Reference was made two weeks ago to
rubbing down. Now there is no doubt
that if an athlete can have q good rubbing
down after exercise it viii be an excellent
thing for him. This can be accom- plished
in two ways-by exchanging courtesies, or
by hiring man to do it. | once saw TWO
young men tie each other in the cham
pionship of America at the high Jump,
and was told that they systematically
rubbed each other down.
Rubbing down after a bath and rubbing
down before race are two widely differ
ent things. The former should be done
with a coarse towel and it matters little
whether the muscles are rigid or other
wise. In the latter case, however, a diff
ferent method should be pursued; the
rubbing should be done with the bare
hands-polishing, so to speak. If you
have a friend to help you stand on chair
and tell him to polish your calves by rub
bing downward with his hands-not work
ing both hands together but striking the
calf in a downward direction alternately.
After doing this for a few minutes let HIM
reverse the process and rub in an upward
direction.
Now let me particularly impress upon
the reader the necessity of allowing the
muscles to be perfectly free and flexible
during the process. | am not exaggerating
when / say that bali of the benefit is lost
by keeping the muscles rigid during this
massage treatment.
When the calves are finished let the
operation be continued upon all the
muscles and limbs, keeping in mind that
the object of rubbing down is twofold-
to invigorate the skin; and secondly to
stimulate a free circulation OF the blood in
the muscles and to rub out OF them any
tendency to stiffen.
Before entering upon the subject of rae
ing proper it is advisable that speak on a
very i'm portant subject, namely: Is racing
dangerousf
This is a subject upon which l have de-
voted a great deal of thought, and | GER
tainly feel qualified to speak with decision
on many important points, as my entry
into athletics dates back eighteen years
and have numbered among my acquaint-
ances not only some of the greatest ath-
letes that ever breathed, but men dis
tinguished as promoters and students of
physical exercise. Those who are ac-
ouainted with athletics in New York, es-
pecially the period dating from eight
years back, will remember the names of
DR.. Sargent, William B. Curtis, George
Goldie, Professor William Wood and John
Wood. The personal acquaintance OF
these gentlemen is matter OF pride with
me, and they have contributed largely to
my stock of evidence, both original and
corroboratiye.
To begin / have an authoritative state