A treatise on food and dietetics : physiologically and therapeutically considered / [F.W. Pavy].

  • Frederick William Pavy
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on food and dietetics : physiologically and therapeutically considered / [F.W. Pavy]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    DIET FOR TRAINING. The object of training is the preparation of the system for * some unusual feat of exertion, and the results which the art aims ! at producing are (i) increased muscular strength, (2) increased • power of endurance, and (3) improvement of the wind. It is principally by attention to diet and exercise that these results are ] attained, and about six weeks is the time usually devoted to the process when fully carried out. Under a successful progress the muscles increase in bulk, grow firmer, and become more subordi- nate to the influence of the will, thereby leading to the production of a feeling of freedom and lightness, or corkiness, as it has been termed, of the limbs. The muscular tissue, in fact, increases in quantity, and improves in quality. There is a removal of super- 1 fluous fat and water, and, by overtraining, the body may become so completely deprived of fat, or the muscles so finely drawn, as to lead to a loss instead of gain of power of enduring prolonged exertion. The skin becomes clear, smooth, fresh-coloured, and elastic. There is no part of the body, it is said, on which training produces a more conspicuous effect than on the skin, and by its state a criterion is afforded, which enables an experienced person to judge of the fitness of the individual for the task in view. The rule as regards exercise is to begin with a moderate amount, and gradually increase it, and the muscles which are to be specially called into play require to be systematically trained in excess of the others. Running is the kind of exercise which most im- proves the wind, and, whatever the feat to be performed, it is usual to enforce a certain amount of running daily, for the special object of making the person longer winded. There is a general agreement regarding exercise, but respecting diet and other measures most fanciful notions have been held. Emetics, purgatives, and sometimes diaphoretics, were formerly 31