The herald., 1895-09-15
BICYCLING AND CRANKS


| beginning to become a fad among socl-
ETY. people. the eastern papers took up
the subject of cycling. and everything
that could be thought of in its favor was
fully exploited. Doctors we're inter-
viewed and the advantages of cycling a,
healthful exercise were made promi-
nent feature in the many articles that ap-
peared in the columns of the daily pc pers.
Testimonials as to results attained were
used until the articles began to partake OF
the nature Of a patent medicine adyer-
tisement
The fad was carried to such an extreme
with both the editors and the society
people that reaction was sure to com g.
Lately few isolated cases have been
discovered wherein the cyclist has over
done the thing, and instead of receiving
the healthful benefit expected, a positive
injury has been done the patient. Un-
der the circumstances 1t was quite nat
ural that these cases should be made the
most of and held up to the public as
horrible examples of the wickedness and
Misunderstanding features of wheeling. ."
However,. as matter Of fact, they should
not be taken into considerat ton
at all, as they have no bearing whatever
on the healthful rastime OF whe,lins.
The instances wherein persons physically
weak. or others strong to dsgiee,
overtax their strength and endurance
can hardly be put down as indicative OF
the general results of cycling. If We are
to stamp this pastime ss one wrecking
the human nerve system because one in
stance came to notice in Oakland where
u young man died from the oyerta king
of his nerve vitality. we ought for simi-
lar reasons to stamp football as a game OF
the bsrbarians because the players do
get hurt. Or We might stamp baseball
as gambling device because men have
been known to bet and even lose money
on the games.
The m est valuable of our drugs are sub
ject to misuse, but that does not prevent
our doctors from using them, and quite
effectively at that.
Bicycling has become too popular and
its beneficial results under proper circum-
stances too we'll known to be stamped
out by the rantlng of few cranks. The
New York Herald, IN discussing the sub
ject, says:
We are always glad to listen to words
of wisdom and pay due Difference to sci
entists who happen to be guests within
our walls. But we shall grow weary cf
DR.. Winslow if he persists in talking
nonsense such as he was guilty of re-
Gently when he asserted tnat bicycle rid
ing is injurious to the health and to
the morality vi women. We Can imagine
that such talk would delight the heart of
middle aged, adipose and illustrious
dowager whose grand duty in life has
been conscientiously accomplished. But
modern men and women of healthy
mind and physique can only wonder at
the Anticipated ideas of gentleman VINO
says in reference to women riding the
blcycle:-
'It is dangerous to health and injur.
ious to morals. / even more strongly
condemn its use for the sake of future
generations. Horseback riding produces
in women substantially the same disas-
trous results and temptatio as bicy-
cling. Both produce such conditions as
LEAD to abnormal appetites and desires.
Womans place is the home. l
have no hesitation in condemning for
cupatlOns which tend to take them from
the nursery
DR.. Winslow's views are radically
at variance with those OF the majority
OF American physicians, who have given
fullest approval OF bicycle riding for
women, if not too violently indulged in
There are thousands of women, married
and unmarried, who have only found
out that life is worth living since they
have learned to exercise on the bicycle. A
physician who asserts that the great end
and aim of women life should be the
nursery is hopelessly out of touch with
modern humanity.
The hot house feminine production
of the past. who is evidently DR.. Wins
low 5 poor blooded idesl-ths fainting.
fragile creature of insipid languor and
ignorant modesty-has, we are happy to
believe. given place to a generation Of
women who are striving through physi-
cal training and intellectual culture TO
become the true helpmates of those to
whom they give devotion and oompan-
ionshlp for life.