AN ATF-LETE'S PANACEA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 130, 10 June 1885, Page 4

AN ATF-LETE'S PANACEA.

Cricketing Casualties.

Damages Promptly Repaired,

Doubtless it is a fortunate circumstance' < (writes the special correspondent of the , " London Sportsman") for both the physical and mental welfare of the rising generation [ of this and other countries that tho number ■ of tho.e good, charitable, though somo- , tfhat timid old souls who regard athletic exercises with extreme disfavour on , account of their being sometimes attended , with accidents, is growing small by degrees and boautifully less. It is happily come to bo pretty generally recognised that a sound mind can scarcely be enjoyed without the existence of a thoroughly healthy and vigorous condition of tho corporeal faculties ; that manly exercises, whilst develop ing and strengthening tho system, afford diversion to the brain ond allow of its recuperation after any undue strain imposed upon it. Equally true is it that in any pursuits calling for a display of muscular strength, fleetness of foot, stamina, or physical skill, casualties will now and again occur, bo tho rules ever so fair and honourable, and the courtesy exhibited on either E.do of the most pronounced description. Moreover, it should be recollected that thore are sports and sports. Thoso who havo a penchant for sword exorcise, for instance, need not necessarily copy the example of certain young gentlemen alluded to i,j Mail. Twain, who were net happy unless thoy woro throe-parts onvoloped in diachylon plaster, and had incurred sundry slices and gashes of the face, tho marks of which they would carry to tho grave. Neither need football players yearn after that variety of the gamo in which "hacking" is permissible, and launch out with their foot as though they were under contract to furnish a supply of cripplosboth for homo use and exportation. There is reason in all branches of recreation, but, as pro viously remarked,- still accidents will happen, and it necessarily behoves athletes to ascertain tho best remedies for any littlo mishaps they may encounter. That untoward events occasionally attend tho deservedly popular game of cricket most people must bo woll aware. Thoso who saw Mr Blackham, tho Australian, indulge in an impromptu pas seul at Lord's . on a cricket ball and his knuckles becoming intimatoly acquainted, would not for a momont be under tho impression that his ' cymnastic clieplay was a mere ebullition of i dlayful light hoartednoss. Tho truth is he i had Etoppod one of Ulyott's lightning deliveries with tho back of his bare hand, ' and ho is by no moans anxious to repeat the I experiment. I havo had tho curiosity to ondcavourtoascertain how the Australians have - continued day after duy to put in an appear- - ance at the wickets in such grand form and - to display such untiring energy. Of course, , they, like other devotees of tho game, are ■ subject to the ill effects of bruisos, to - sprainß of a more or less severe character, 1 and to that stiffness of the muscles and , joints which so often results from extra I bodily exertion. | MR G, ALEXANDER, 1 who, in addition to managing the business . affairs of the team, seems to have underi taken in Borne respects the functions of f modical adviser, most cheerfully accorded 1 every information. In a manner his con- . frcies havo met with a fair share of disaster 3 during thoir trip. No fewer than four or r live havo at ono time or another been placed temporarily hors de combat whilst others suffored from minor afflictions which they could not afford the time to humour, and 3 which, thorofore, had to be homo with the ' best possible grace under tho circumstances. 1 At home, he obsorved, they had at hand a J peculiarly simplo, wonderfully efficacious, • and, at tho same timo, remarkably incxpen--0 sive remedy for sprains, soreness, stiffness of tho joints, contusions and tho like. He r had, how&ver, run out of the comparatively t limited stock lie had brought with him, • and on making an inquiry lie had learned • to his chagrin that he could not j obtain tlio preparation in England. This ! had caused somoconstornotion amongst "tlie 1 boys," and several who wore slightly ' affbeted had declined to try any other roincdy. Questioned as to this compound, ' he remarked that it was St. Jacob's Oil, r tho potency of which in the removal of pain 5 thoy had experienced many a time and oft. ' A curious tiling about this oil was tho extreme rapidity with which it performed its good offices. "Didn't go fooling about and ) wasting timo, but gots to business at once," 3 I suggested, and a hearty acquiescence was t given To his delight Mr Alexander was , soon put in possession of tbo information r that the oil had been introduced to the , British public, and ho wasted no time in obtaining a stock. I have since seen a j lotter from him, in which he announces that [ he carries a supply of St. Jacob s Oil with . him for use in any emergency, and intends • to continue to do so.

MR H. F. BOYLE

(of the celebrated Victorian Athletic Material I-opOl, Boylo and Scott, Melbourne) wns equally ready to bear testimony to tho virtues of tho preparation. Ho had personal 0-pcrionco of its value, and certainly looked upon it as almost a nocessary item of his cricketing outfit. Moroovor, ho know many athletes in Australia who woro equally as ardent admirers of tho Oil as ho was, and ho told how the medicament had become quito famous throughout tho antipodean colony. It was rapid in its action, gavo speedy relief from pain, and its effects wero not evanescont, but permanent. Perhaps, it was intimated, no ono know its beneficial pro perties better than MR BLACKHAM, who had taken an undue proportion of tho knocking about that had fallen to the share of the team. He had been bruised and battered at short intervals, but went through the ordeal most manfully, and quickly resumed his dutios with no diminution of ardour. That crack on the knuckles he incurred in London had called for the broaching of a " bottle," not of spirituous liquors, but of St, Jacob's Oil, so that the punishment unwittingly administered by Ulyett would speedily be forgotten, Then, again, there was MR SPOFFORTH, who received a terrible blow whilst taking part in a match in London. The bruise he had to exhibit was of ghastly proportions, but it gradually disappeared, whilst its pain succumbed to the all powerful specific. In short, better testimonials as to the real virtues of tho Oil could not possibly be obtained than those voluntarily and cheer* fully accorded by tbe Australian cricketers, who pin their faith on that which has proved trustworthy in an infinitude of trials. From a Canadian gentleman, a prominent amateur oarsman, I learn that EDWARD HANLAN, cho late aquatic Champion of tho World, ranks amongst ono of tho patrons of this preparation. He has found it beneficial in such slight attacks of rheumatism as havo fallen to his lot, whilst he usos it whenever he suffers from stiffness 'or from slight sprains. Hanlnn, it is well known, has no great affection for compounds of any description, but he is not so foolish as to neglect affections of the muscles and joints, lest the weak spot should becomo moro troublesome still. Similar viows are entertained by WALLACE ROSS, whose iron frame is just as subject to temporary affections as those of much more slightly-built people. Be has declared that the St. Jacobs Oil is a wonderful agent, and has joined in its praise. Sufficient has doubtless been said to prove that this preparation has fairly established its reputation as a remedial application in a ?reat variety of cases. The testimony of -he celebrated athlotes I havo named is ipecially valuable, inasmuch as they havo subjected the Oil to as severe tests us could oe imagined. That it will speedily attain ?reat and universal notoriety in the British tsle3 is beyond all question, and tho moro t is used tho moro spontaneously forth •oming will bo the grateful tributes to its nnate worth and its marvellous power.