Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Wrestling

WRESTLING, is a wanton combat, or engagement between two unarmed persons, who exert all their strength and dexterity to throw each other on the ground.

Wrestling was in great repute among the ancients; but, with the modern nations, it is seldom practised. Indeed, it is almost forgotten in Britain, excepting in a few of the less civilized counties, where it forms a favourite game at wakes. This exercise, however, like that of cudgel-playing, ought to be abolished; on account of the accidents thus wilfully occasioned; for every nerve is strained by the candidates for rural fame, who thus frequently lay the foundation of some severe chronical complaint, or meet with dislocations, fractures, and other casualties, which often terminate in lingering illness, or premature death.