24. The seconds must determine whether the combatants in sword duels shall be allowed to take breath. 25. The seconds will also decide (without acquainting their principals of this decision), whether the parties are to be separated after the first wound. In this arrangement, they will be guided by the nature of the quarrel. 26. They will also decide whether a fencing-glove, or any other article to wrap round the hand, is to be allowed; a string,[27] or a common glove, are always allowed. 27. The seconds are never to let their principals know that they are of opinion that the nature of the insult received is such as to render a mortal combat necessary. 28. The seconds may refuse the sword if the principal is unable to use it from any infirmity, unless the offended party has received a personal injury. 29. The seconds of a person blind of one eye, may object to the pistol, unless the aggressor had struck him. 30. The sword or sabre may be declined by the seconds of a person with only one leg or arm. 31. The seconds of a young man shall not allow him to fight an adversary above sixty years of age, unless this adversary had struck him; and, in this case, his challenge must be accepted in writing. His refusal to comply with this rule is tantamount to a refusal to give satisfaction, and the young man’s honour is thereby satisfied. 32. If any unfair occurrence takes place in a duel, it is the duty of the seconds to commit the circumstance to paper, and follow it up before the competent tribunals, when they are bound in honour to give true evidence. 33. It is the duty of seconds to separate the combatants the very moment that the stipulated rules are transgressed. 34. A father, a brother, a son, or any relation in the first degree, cannot serve as second, for or against his relative. 35. In sword duels, the seconds will mark the standing spot of each combatant, leaving a distance of two feet between the points of their weapons. The standing ground to be drawn for by lots. 36. The swords must be measured to ascertain that they are of equal length. In no instance must a sword with a sharp edge or a notch be allowed. 37. The combatants will be requested to throw off their coats, and to lay bare their breasts, to show that they do not wear any defence that could ward off a thrust. A refusal to submit to this proposal is to be considered a refusal to fight. 38. The offended party can always use his own weapons, if they are considered of a description fitting the combat. If, on comparing arms, the swords should be found to differ, the choice must be decided by chance, unless the disproportion is of a material nature.