Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-16
TOPICS FOR CYCLISTS.
Effect Of Bicycle Riding on the
Nervous System.
MOVE FOR PEDAL REFORM
COMFORTABLE CLOTHING REQUISITE FOR THOSE
WHO wHEEL-LIGHTs on MAcHINEs-GooD ADJ
VICE TO BEGINSERs-soME WAYS OF RIDING-A
PoLIcEMAN's MISTAKE.

In the April number Of the Journal OF Nerv-
Gus and Mental Diseases there appeared an
article written by DIR. Graeme N. Hammond Of
New York on the effect of the bicycle in the
treatment of nervous diseases, q portion of
which is as follows:
The subject of the therapeutics of exercise
Is so vast that it Is practically impossible to
cover the ground in paper of ordinary length.
L therefore propose to consider only one of the
forms OF exercise, namely, bicycling, and that
only IN Its relation to the treatment Of some
forms OF nervous disease.
Exercise when prescribed for nervous affec-
tions should preferably be taken out Of doors.
Ii must also be combined with pleasure and
should be prescribed not only with the view of
strengthening the muscles but also for its effect
upon the mind. The effect upon the mind is
often Of greater impo lance than the effect
upon the body. The feeding Of the mind
on self and the continual mental introspection
which Is so common In neurastheria. hysterla
and hypochondria should tie combated by pro-
scrlblng an exercise which necessltates the
pleasurable concentration of the mind on what
is being done, something which demands a GER
tam amount of skill for its successful accom-
plishment and which must therefore divert the
thoughts from morbid channels. stimulate the
mental faculties IN a normal direction and en-
gender feeling of brain rest and mental re-
freshment
such results can be obtained by the proper
use of the bicycle. The facility with which
almost any one learn 10 use it, the eXer-
else Of skill required in guiding and control
ling It's course, the exhilaration which comes
from rapid motion, the continual change of
the panorama OF the landscape and the exer
else OF almost every muscle of the body make
II an apparatus which not only developes the
body but Is far more potent i'll stimulating
healthy cerebral activity and in arousing the
mind from a lethargic condition than any med
lclnal remedy known to me.
In an individual with a strong and vigorous
body and who Is accustomed to take a great
deal of outdoor physical exercise small an
noyances and even troubles and grlefs of con-
siderable magnitude borne with a mental
courage and for;itude which ordinarily can
be but feebly reproduced in those who are
physically uudeveloped. There is a buoyancy
OF spirit IN the strong and healthy which rises
superior to the onslaught OF troubles, while the
individual of sedentary habits or who never has
felt the courage which goes hand in glove
with health and strength succumbs sooner TO
the troubles which fall to the lot of nearly
every man and woman. In the bicycle we OBJ
tam a combination of physical and mental
exercise which meets the requirements of the
case more thoroughly tAan any other form OF
treatment. Six of the patients referred to al
ways speak enthusiastical of the benefit
they received from the bicycle. They returned
from their rides physically tired. but mentally
refreshed Comparing these cases with other
similar cases vino did not use the bicycle. l
am forced to admit that the recovery of the
latter might have been materially accelerated
II the bicycle had been prescribed.
As comfort Is essential to pleasure and con-
tentnent, bicycle should be selected which
combines fine workmanship and smoothly run
ming parts, with the least amount of vibration.
while trayerslng rough or uneven roads. A BIZ
cycle which works stlffly, which 'squeaks.
or where the saddle Is uncomfortable are often
matters which. though trivial to the healthy in
dlvldual, are of the greatest annoyance to the
SICK. One OF my patients. historical man,
was one day so annoyed by the continual
squeak, squeak OF his pedal every time 1t re-
volved that he finally burst into tears. dis
mounted. left his bicycle in the road and re-
turned home In the cars in a highly hysterical
condition.
AT the present time the pneumatic-tirca ma
chine Is the most comfortable. Rough roads
can De traversed on 1t with very little jar vi
bratiol. 1t is particularly to be desired for
women.
.'In riding the body should not be inclined
forward. at least only to a very slight degree.
In racing. undoubtedly. greater speed can be
attained when the body Is bent almost ut right
angles with the legs, but with the invalid in
search OF health II is different. The attain
ment OF great speed Is not the point to be
gained He should sit in natural and easy
position. with the chest out and the head well
up, so that respiration can be carried on to tie
best advantage.
III physicians would study the bicycle as a
remedy and prescribe 1t Inteiligently they
would often find 1t exer.ing beneficial infiU-
ence far In excess of their expectations
COMFORTABLE CLOTHING FOR CYCLISTS.
The aversge bicycle rider believes in wear
ing comfortable clothing while Oh his wheel,
and especially when he is off for u long journey,
but the appearance on the street in racing COS
tune, on wheel that is intended only for
| racing Is considered bad form by nearly all the
| riders. The Cyclist this week speaks upon the
question in this way:
good many smart young fellows who wear
tights as often as possible and strike an ultra
racing attitude before the everyday public
discard the brake as being an effeminate and
useless attachment TO n bicycle. Mos: OF them
get into trouble sooner or later. There is no
knowing just when viii come the need OF :.
sudden stop, which only the quickly downed
brake can effect. The writer was once Young
and foolish enough 10 indulge in this particular
kind of smartness. One day the unlooke ed for
team dashed ont of a side street. and no back
pedaling could prevent the crash that followed
brake would have done the business To
coast without brake is worse than reckless
II Is wicked. IL bat the riders own neck we're
IN peril It would, perhaps be all right, but he
places the lives OF other riders. drivers of
teams and pedestrians in like jeopardy. There
are riders who habtually coast III this way
The man caught at it should be hauled before
the nearest justice Of the peace. He Is a pub
lie nuisance