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.