New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-02-15
DOCTORS DIsAGREE ABorr ROLLERS
coNFucrING VIEWS A. TO THE EFFECTS OF RINK
skAIING.


SKATING.
Standing before the doors OF big skating
rink TRIBUNE reporter hcarl from within strains OF
music accompanied hy the dul HOMOGENEOUS rattllng Of
the skates upon the hard noor This RAFT Ing sounds ike
the noise great machine that gruds aud gTnds
continually entering the reporter found the skaters
keeping time with the music. ana moving Ia graceful
curves. with no apparent effort than 1. made by
trout when It darts through the water with vhisk Of
the tail The skaters seemed to pass by ike hock Of
birds that with extended AMI motOnisss wings wheel
tiroug tho air Yet the Gene had not the same anla
ton and picurcsq which delight the spectators
Of the skating the park one misses the bright run
ncr, flashing IN the sum- the red checks which the cold
wind has painted wiki the gow OF health. the winter
Landscape ani tao right sunshine Nevertheless when
skating cannot be hi. and The park authorities re
main dcafto all applications, lovers OF the sport are
glad to IND a substitute for u at Tho rolling INKS But
then the cry goes up that roller kiing Injurious that
not only DO tho tuDcs at the ruA make Hauy efPpcs.
but the exercise Itself i nos healthy one and docs
lead TO a proper and normal development Of the
muscles. These reports nh with anguish the
hearts Of anxious mothers whose boys and
tI-ir days at the Kinks AID their nights in dreams
oi tho days skating but Ia spite OF tho Importance
o the matter doctor, do not - be nbe to give
definite answer 10 the question. l. roller skating
healthy exercise Aud their di,lsr.m'nt leaves tIe
question TO be decided by each from his own "Apo-
perhaps when It Is too late 10 profit by IL.
Dr. Willard Parker jr. approached upon the sub
feet but TO the reporters quct ons he answered " nm
really unable % give opinion, rs have not looked
into the matter. sec harm In roller skating. but
do wish to be quoted as have been In the news
papers, a. mdorsngit. My children have skates and
they skate. inclined 10 think that IL l. Ike dane
Ing healthy exercise when INDUCED In ia moderation
but Injurious when carried TO excess as II frequently is
by Nev-Yorkcrs."
Dr. Henry 10. Sands spoke more decidedly In favor OF
the popular pastimc. don't think" said he. 4" that
any physician could condemn II. It IL in my opinion
healthy exercise for those with whom exercise
agrees Don't understand to mean that IL good FOR
every persons cannot stand violent exercise
and for them skating Is injurious boxing or rdirg
would be. The only objection which In my opinion can
urged against 10 T. that accidents happen frequent
ly aud that 80 many limbs arc broken by falls. Rave
myself seen many cases Of this SORT especially among
Is there additional objection to rollerskatng
ms red with Ice skating arising FROM the fact that
the is not carried In the open air. hut ia
building which Is artlncay heated, often crowded. ana
IN which the must Of necessity become frequently
Initiated r.
That" answered Dr. Sands. Il, objection which
can now largely urged against ee-skatlng well as
roller skating la Canada they skate mostly In Kinks
TO be about the only way In which good Ice
skating On the Whole ana in favor Of the eSerci.c
aud think 1t good sign that young Americans should
and exercise. Az a Nation only much IN
cned to neglect yhca exercise. Compare the habits
of young Americans with those of young Ensli'hnen
The contrast Il striking"
tho Hospital for the Rupturcd and Grip |
Piled. gave opinion which was far less |
favorable 10 the Kinks and the rlnkers have never
approved Of IT, said he In answer To the reporters ques
ton What do you think Of roller skating and its eject
upon health e. IL has u bad effect upon the conorma
tOn Of the foot. You viii notice that the nsep Is per
arch OF bone and upon it, proper fors depend tho
elasticity and of the gait. II for any this arch
becomes atened the foot u rotated outward inc
sse SS HU s h %S S o P "1S ScS
a. ii he had artificial leg, aud there il continual
strain thrown upon set of muscles In the leg which
not intended 10 support this strain ana |
cannot support 10 without pain. Now
should carefully preserved and 10 natcn the foot
The push by which skater throws his body forward
places undue weight directly the nstcp. and con
slant repetition Of this leads at last to hattcnng OF the
nstep arch"
With these ideas OF Dr. Knights fresh In his mind. the
reporter entered osc Of the Kinks and sought tho man
ager, to whom he repeated them. The manager was OF
the opinion that DR. knights objections arose from |
msapprehension OF the theory of roller skating. Pac-
ing pair OF skates his feet he said "You that
the rollers are directly under the heel and the |
ball OF the foot They therefore placed |
at the exact points where tho foot naturally |
touches the ground. Now In Ice skating skater pushes
himself forward with each leg SUCCESSFULLY But III
roller skating this Is not and the sud experience OF
many expert leo skaters who attempt to proceed on
roller skates they Ice Il proof OF tho
difference between the two movements In roller skat-
ing the motion Is "a simple walking motion there Is no
push the equilibrium of the body should be- the same
"a II walking In the street. What Dr. knight
Gays may apply p 10 Ice skatn. but II does not Apply
to roller skating"
PROJECTORS Of other establishments laughed at all
themselves on rollers. without troubling themselves
about the possible injury that they may be doing 70 luo
bones and Ngalnents VI their psteps.