The
heat was excessive, and although the horse was none the worse for
the performance, the Captain died from the exposure he
encountered. There is a record of a Mr. Bacon of the Bombay Civil
Service, who rode one camel from Bombay to Allygur (perhaps 800
miles) in eight days.
As regards the physiology of the runners and walkers, it is quite
interesting to follow the effects of training on the respiration,
whereby in a measure is explained the ability of these persons to
maintain their respiratory function, although excessively
exercising. A curious discussion, persisted in since antiquity,
is as to the supposed influence of the spleen on the ability of
couriers. For ages runners have believed that the spleen was a
hindrance to their vocation, and that its reduction was followed
by greater agility on the course. With some, this opinion is
perpetuated to the present day. In France there is a proverb,
"Courir comme un derate." To reduce the size of the spleen, the
Greek athletes used certain beverages, the composition of which
was not generally known; the Romans had a similar belief and
habit Pliny speaks of a plant called equisetum, a decoction of
which taken for three days after a fast of twenty-four hours
would effect absorption of the spleen.
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