The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-21
NOISES IN CITIES.
They Annoy tho Newcomer. but He Cots
Used 20 Thorn,

Used 90 Thorn.
Newcomers to cities arc always great
ly annoyed and confused a. first by the
almost inccssant noises, but after q timo
become insensiblo to them. This is tho
rule, but like all others it has it's oxcep-
lions. Occasionally are encountered
persons who havo nervous systems so
nicely balanced that they arc entirely
thrown of tho center" and tho rum
bling Of horse cars. tho jingling of bells
and the rattle OF rickoty wagons arc a
constant wear and toar upon them. Tho
full OBJECT of these disturbances on such
people is scarcely over appreciated oven
by themselves, and they arc singularly
disposed to reason backward. and con-
cludo that nervous weakness is tho
cause OF thoir oxtrome constituencies to
tho noises, whoreas these noises are
oftontimos tho real cause of THOR nerv-
GUS weakness. A short stay in the
country ought to show Thorn their mis-,
tal1o, for ono and all testify chow good
1t seems to got where it is quiet"
Long ago it was thoorized that dwoll-
ors in cities wero especially liable to in
jury induced by walking upon hard sido-
walks, it boing thought that each time
the hoels camo down slight concus-
sion was produced in tho spine This
led certain parties to manufacture rub
Dor boot hools, as sure and inoxpon-
sivo preventive. 1t Is scarcely likely
that any ono will over grow rich In tho
business, nor Is it reasonable to suppose
that thero is any dire noed OF such
contrivancc. Nature has made ample
provisions against Earring, oven while
walking on hard surfaces Dctwoen tho
bones of tho spine she placed cushions,
as it wore, which permit us to come
down quito heavily upon tho hccls with
out receiving any considerable shock
besides this, sho has adjusted springs
in tho legs and feet in tho form of mus
cles, which act like rubber bands in
doadcning shock. 1t is barely possible
that a person might injure his spino by
walking upon hard sidewalks, but no
would have to tako great deal of such
cxcrciso-far moro than tho Infinite ma
jority indulge in.
Another thing, city residents walk
differently than do those who live in
tho country. Tho former step of light
ly, and come down easily on tho foot,
seldom, If over, striking the ground fair
~, or allowing much weight to fall up
on tho heels. AS rule, tho ball Of the
foot receives tho force and weight of tho
body, tho heel merely acting as pivot
Theirs is sort of shutting cato, where
as those who arc accus toned to walking
upon soft ground strike with greater
forco upon the heels. 10 dig Thorn in
slightly is often necessary to secure q
firm footing, so this habit becomes quito
confirmed. Tho square heel and too"
way of walking is almost entirely con-
fined to short distance pcdcstrians-pro-
fcssional walllcrs. Whom that gait is
assumed jar is fclt, oven on soft
ground. which would provo injurious
wero it kept up. Takon all in all, there
does not appear to be any thing in this
theory to give it any great Importance;
and considering the many actual hurt.
full influences of city iifo which urgent
ly demand remcdving, this seems very
trifling. Washington Post.