Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-03-13
ROLLER SKATING.
What Some Physicians Say About the EI-
ercise.

What Some Physicians Say About the EK-
The roller rink promises to become
an interesting factor in city liz" in more
ways than one. 1t is a great attraction
to the people, who prefer sport in 4
warm building, on crowded maple
floor, with the air full of impalpable
dust, to the healthful and bracing exer-
else on ice. 1t has been asserted that
roller skating is not conducive to the
good health and sound physical condi-
| ton of the skaters. In some localities
the rinks have been declared detri-
ment. At Harrisburg. Pa. the Grand
Jury declared them nuisance. A New
York clergyman, with the advice of a
physician, declares that roller skating,
as carried on in the rinks, weakens the
muscles and debilitates the system gen.
orally. He also objects to the rink be-
cause it induces young people to stay
away from church, and consequently
lessons the good done by revival SER
vices. These are but the rumblirgs of
war on roller Kinks which may break
out at very short notice.
Saturday afternoon. Health Physician
Briggs was asked his opinion of the
roller rink DIR. Briggs said he thinks
| that if record of the accidents which
happen at the rinks could be enumerated
they would be interesting. and people
would be surprised to learn how many
young people sustain fractures of arms
or legs. The cases are numerous, and
he knows of eases where several young
persons have been crippled for life by Il
fall while skating. He has no doubt
that the over-eXercise strains the mus
cles, and in a general way INJURIES the
physical condition of the skater, Young
girls being specially liable to harm.
Morally. also, the pastime is not ire
proachable. because of the mixed
crowds which 90 to the rinks. ..Why."
said the doctor, ''Ive son who's got
the craze. I've given him up to it.
I've daughter whom do not allow to
skate. do not consider roller skating
elevating to the mind, profitable to the
purse, or likely to develop the physical
system"
Drs. ID. F. Mcpherson and j. W.
Keene expressed similar views on gem
eral principles.
DIR. c. c. F. Gay said II think skat-
ing in moderation is good thing. but
the trouble is that the girls won't skate
in moderation. And another thing,
they will persist in skating until late in
the evening, becoming very warm, and
then passing out into the cold night air.
I've had two or three cases of pneu-
monia from this cause. The average
girl ought not to skate more than an
hour and half If she keeps herself
within this limit it will be benefit to
her."
DIR. Henry II. Hopkins was also in
terviewed. He thought the subject a
rather large one, and depending on q
good many conditions; yet. on the
whole, it seemed TO him that the prac-
tice was healthful and particularly
adapted to the needs of young women.
The great trouble is that it is indulged
in to excess, and muscles unaccustomed
to the extra exertion are strained;
'.yet," said he, 1--WE have no right to
charge this particularly to roller skat-
ing, for it is true of walking, rowing,
lawn tennis, and any other exercise.
NV observation teaches me that it is to
be encouraged by all means. With this
thought in view, however, that the boys
and girls who indulge in roller skating
must develop themselves gradually, and
not begin some heroic feat on the first
day of their experience. As to acci-
dents, why. they are no more common
in proportion to the number of people
who skate than they are in any other
sport; a broken arm isn't anything
when you take into consideration the
benefit to the health of the whole num-
Der of skaters"
DIR. Brayton SAYS: Skating Kinks are
all right so long as the girls skate on
their feet. / haven't heard of any bad
results from them, and think they are
good thing"
Professor Mcdonald, manager of the
Armory Rink, was also asked his opin-
fon of roller skating. The physical eff
feet he considers good, but, like any
thing else, roller skating can be over
done. The professor said he had been
skating ever since 1865, and if skating
will kill any one he ought to be about
killed by this time. His ankles. he said,
"NhS wan "h'h " ShatC Ou
ice. but they grew very strong. He
once skated for twenty-one days on a
stretch in rink. He now acts con-
stantly as a teacher of roller skating,
and often skates from fifty to seventy
miles in day, which. with apupil most
of the.time on his arm, is pretty good |
days work. The moral effect of roller
rink varies, Mr.. Mcdonald thinks. 1t |
depends on how a rink is managed. If |
care is taken to admit only respectable
persons there is little danger of evil |
results. The professor said that prob
ably he does not know ten of his regular
customers. Though he is often solic-
tied to give introductions he makes it a
rule never to do so. For the past three
years he has managed roller rink at
There he had consider
able trouble to get his rink started on
the Assembly grounds, as DIR. Vincent
and others objected from moral stand
point. The professor smiled as he said
that he was given thirty minutes to pre-
sent his side of the question, and sue
,eeded in obtaining permission to build
MS rink.-Butdto Express.