Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-04-19
TOPICS FOR CYCLISTS.
Zoe Eject OF Bicycle Hiding on q
N~ryou. system.

sAs Eject of Bicycle Hiding on sh
Nervous system.
In the April number of the Journal
OF Nervous and Mental Diseases there
appeared an article written by DR..
Graeme VI. Hammond Of New York,
on the effect of the bicycle in the
treatment of nei vous diseases, por-
tion 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 a
paper of ordinary length. L there
fore propose To consider only one Of
the forms OF exercise, namely, bicy-
cling, and that only in its rela tion to
the treatment of some forms OF nery-
Gus diseases.
Exercise when prescribed fol
nervous diseases should preferably be
taken out of doors. 1t 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 Importance than the effect
upon the body. The feeding of the
mind upon self and the continual
mental introspection which is so com.
mon in neurasthenia, hysteria and
hypochondria should be combated by
prescribing an exercise which neces-
states the pleasurable concentration
OF the mind on what is being done,
something which demands certain
amount of skill for its successful ac-
compllshment and which must there
fore divert the thoLshts from morbid
channels, stimulate the mental fac
ulties III a normal direction and en-
gender a feeling of brain rest and
mental refreshment
Such results can be obtained b,
the proper use OF the bicycle. The
facility with which almost any one
can learn to use 1t, the exercise of
skill required in guiding and control
ling its course, the eXhilaration which
comes from rapid motion, the contin-
ual change of the panorama of the
landscape and the exercise of almost
every muscle of the body make it an
apparatus which not only developes
the body but is far more potent in
stimulating a healty cerebral act
ivity and in arousing the mind from
lethargic condition than any medi
cinal remedy known to Inc.
"In an individual with a strong
and vigorous body and who is accus-
toned to take great deal of out
door physical exercise, small annoy
! ances and even troubles and griefs OF
considerable magnitude are borne
with a mental courage and fortitude
which ordinarily can be but feeblY re-
| produced in those who are physically
undeveloped. 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 sue.
cumbs 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 re.
| quirements OF the case more thor
| oughly than any other form of treat.
| lhtlI. OLA VI IdOlSIbN ACANiiSb
to always speak enthusiastically OF
the benefit they received from the
bicycle. They returned from theil
rides physically tired, but mentally
refreshed. Comparing these case:
with other similar cases who did not
use the bicycle, l am forced to admit
that the recovery of the latter might
have been Materially accelerated il
'he bicycle had been prescribed.
"As comfort is essential to pleasure
and cOntentment, bicycle should be
selected which combines fine work
manship and smoothly running parts
with the least amount of vibration
while traversing rough or unever
roads. A bicycle which works stiffly
or which .squeaks, or where the sad
die is uncomfortable are often mat
ters which, though trivial to the
healthy individual, are Of the great
est annoyance to the sick. One oi
my patients, a hysterical man, wa
one day so annoyed by the continue
squeak, squeak, of his pedal every
time il revOlved that he finally burst
into tears, dismounted, left his btcy
Gle In the road and returned home il
the cars in highly hysterical condi
tion.
"At the present time the pneu
matic-tired machine is the most com
Portable. Rough roads can be ira
versed on it with very little jar or vi
bration. 1t is particularly to be de
sired for women.
in riding the body should not b
inclined forward, at least only to
very slight degree. In racing, un
doubtedly, greater speed can be at
tanned when the body is bent almos
at right angles with the legs, bu
/ with the invalid in search of healti
it is different. The attainment o
, great speed is not the point to b
!. gained. He should sit in a natura
and easy position, with the chest ou
and the head we'll up, so that respi
ration can be carried on to the bes
advantage.
"If physicians would study the b
cycle as a remedy and prescribe it in
telligently they would often find l
exerting beneficial influence far i
excess of their expectations.
A Woman HsIer.
nWhen a cadet at West Point