Pedestrianism; or, An Account of the Performances of Celebrated Pedestrians During the Last and Present Century.: With a full narrative of Captain Barclay's public and private matches; and an essay on training.Thom, Walter
History
Pedestrianism; or, An Account of the Performances of Celebrated Pedestrians During the Last and Present Century.: With a full narrative of Captain Barclay's public and private matches; and an essay on training.
Thom, Walter
Walking
The diet or regimen is the next point of consideration, and it is very
simple. As the intention of the trainer is to preserve the strength
of the pedestrian, he must take care to keep him in good condition by
nourishing food. Animal diet is alone prescribed, and beef and mutton are
preferred. The lean of fat beef cooked in steaks, with very little salt,
is the best, and it should be rather under-done than otherwise. Mutton
being reckoned easy of digestion, may be occasionally given, to vary the
diet, and gratify the taste. The legs of fowls are highly esteemed. It is
preferable to have the meat BROILED, as much of its nutritive qualities
is lost by roasting or boiling[28]. Biscuit and stale bread are the only
preparations of vegetable matter which are permitted to be given; and
every thing inducing flatulency must be carefully avoided. Veal and lamb
are never allowed, nor pork, which operates as a laxative on some people;
and all fat or greasy substances are prohibited, as they induce bile, and
consequently injure the stomach. But it has been proved by experience,
that the lean of meat contains more nourishment than the fat, and in
every case, the most substantial food is preferable to any other kind.
Vegetables, such as turnips, carrots, or potatoes, are never given, as
they are watery, and of difficult digestion. On the same principle, fish
must be avoided, and besides, they are not sufficiently nutritious.
Neither butter nor cheese is allowed; the one being very indigestible,
and the other apt to turn rancid on the stomach. Eggs are also forbidden,
excepting the yolk taken raw in the morning. And it must be remarked,
that salt, spiceries, and all kinds of seasonings, with the exception of
vinegar, are prohibited.
With respect to liquors, they must be always taken cold; and home-brewed
beer, old, but not bottled, is the best. A little red wine, however,
may be given to those who are not fond of malt liquor; but never more
than half a pint after dinner. Too much liquor swells the abdomen, and
of course injures the breath. The quantity of beer, therefore, should
not exceed three pints during the whole day, and it must be taken with
breakfast and dinner, no supper being allowed. Water is never given
alone, and ardent spirits are strictly prohibited, however diluted. It
is an established rule to avoid liquids as much as possible, and no more
liquor of any kind is allowed to be taken than what is merely requisite
to quench the thirst. Milk is never allowed, as it curdles on the
stomach. Soups are not used[29]; nor is any thing liquid taken warm, but
gruel or broth, to promote the operation of the physic; and the sweating
liquor mentioned above. The broth must be cooled in order to take off
the fat, when it may be again warmed; or beef tea may be used in the
same manner, with little or no salt. In the days between the purges, the
pedestrian must be fed as usual, strictly adhering to the nourishing diet
by which he is invigorated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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