The record-union., 1894-01-30
USE AND ABUSE OF THE BICYCLE
Properly seated the Rider May Derive
Benefit From the Exercise.

Properly seated the Rider May Derive
Benet1t From the Exercise.
The use of the bicycle asa means of ex-'
ercise ranks, in my opinion, as foremost
among The beneficial forms of exercise
that may be taken, says a writer in the
International JOUrnat Of Surgery. 1t
ranks equally with horseback riding,
rowing, swimming, and is superior TO
walking; besides IL Is means OF rapid
transportation and forces the rider into
the open air. 1t is an active exercise that
can be proportiOned 10 the weakest and
the strongest. He who desires vigorous
exercise can obtain it. No one can ride
bicycle and not have his thoughts taken
out OF himself, and at the same time have
his attention pleasantly engaged. The
exercise is fairly distributed over the
body, affecting principally the legs, the
arms, and SeCOndaruy those great SyS-
TENS, the cardiac, glandular and nervous.
After a careful study believe the follow
ing TO be its effect in health:
Under moderate, sensible use the re-
spiraliOn is not increased, but deepened;
the heart beat slightly increased, and the
blood by these means ana the alternate
contraction OF the muscles receives a
larger proportion of oxygen and is more
evenly distributed over the body, pre-
venting congestions. The etfete materials
in the tissues are rapidly removed, and
u. w
more perfectly performed. Upon the
stomach and the intestines there is a Sec
ondarv but noticeable effect, viz, IN
creased digestive power with increased ca
pacity for food. This in its turn enriches
the blood. The increased circulation of
blood above mentioned gives additional
material out of which to manufacture
gastric iuice. Upon the liver its effect is
not so noticeable, though the writer is
inclined to believe it is similar to that OF
the stomach, viz, increased functional
power.
Upon the muscular system it has a di-
rect effect, increasing their size, their
hardness and power. Secondarily 1t
trains the great spinal centerS to perform
complex movements and acts as bal
ance to over spinal action. gives in
creased coordination with lessened eX-
penditure OF nervous force. The acts be-
come automatic. Its effect upon the
brain is of great benefit. 1t develops the
motor area of the brain and i'll it permits
OF a com bination OF Intricate muscular
acts. Again, take d man who has exer-
cised his intellectual faculties to the ut
most: has, as a consequence, increased
circulation in the intellectual area OF his
! brain. Bv means of his muscular inn
proyements and by bringing into play
! the muscular and emotive centers OF his
/ brain he changes the force and direction
/ OF the cerebral DIOOQ current, renewing
and resting the hard orked intellectual
/ centers. And, lastly, it gives the elastic
! ity and carriage, that soidity OF gait,
which bespeak the healthy individual.
while his expression, animal spirits and
ROSY complexion are in very great con-
( trast to the uncertain movement, sickly
smile, pasty, greasy-looking skin of the
recluSe and oYerWorked man.
There is one thing against which | wish
/ to take an nnquestioned and decided
/ stand-that is, the incorrect position as
sumed by many riders. This position is
/ the resultant of compressed vanity or
/ a lack of knowledge, and has caused
] much unfavorabie comment to be be-
slowed upon this silent steed. The cor
/ rect position is that OF modified posi-
/ ton of the soldier-a position of COM
mand, grace and perfect muscular con-
troll. The rider should have his handle
/ bars so adjusted that when he sits per-
/ fectly erect the palm of the hand rests
1 upon the bar without tension upon the
arm muscles. The arms should be COM
/ fortably extended and the trunk as far
as possible held erect without being stiff.
| The legs can then be extended with COM
! fort and without interference with the re-
! turn circulation from the lower limbs. If
one will stand perfectly erect, the arms
close to the body, and the forearm hexed
at right angles. and the lower limbs sep
arated about eight inches at the heels, he
will understand thoroughly what l mean
by modified position OF the soldier.