The record-union., 1895-10-26
BICYCLE HYGIENE.
What Riders Should Do to Keep the
Best Health.
How q Person Should Sit and the
Kind of Seat Used Most
Important.

Bicycling has become so popular that q
number Of renowned physicians have
studied the sport with view to compar-
Ing its benefits and warning it's adopts
from harmful consequences of bad habits
and carelessness. The following from
DR.. Tissio's book on "Bicyclists Hy-
giene" will interest local riders:
The bicyclist must pay particular at
tention to the cleanliness of the skin. 1t
Is only by keeping the pores open that
vigor and elasticity are obtained, and that
methodical training will end in the fact
ulty of wheeling long distances without
fatigue. Additions after training or after
ride should be done quickly in order
that the reaction may follow immedi-
stely, and if by chance it should not fol-
low spontaneously it must be induced
with rubbing, using OF coarse towels,
massage. friction, or the taking of brisk
walk alter dressing.
Good wheeling depends as much on the
knowledge Of breathing as upon muscu-
lar strength The greater the capacity to
breathe the greater the vital capacity and
the more riding becomes easy and rapid.
But breathing must be insLantRneOuSIy
regular and not done by shocks and
blows like the puffs OF a bellows.
Persons whose nostrils are INSTRUCTED
breathe through the mouth. and when
they are tempted to augment speed in
balation is inevitable and may be the
cause Of heart and lung troubles. But
Eapidity OF movement does not suffice 90
bring on inhalation: it must be accom-
panied with intensity of muscular effort
and II thus may be considered as the re-
suit of general muscular fatigue. At the
l. 4. 10
VelOceman must go slower or dlsmOunt
and rest, and make a regular practice of
regular breathing through the nose, with
slow exhalations through the mouth.
With precautions the exercise of the
wheel is beneficial for the development
of the lungs and the thOraX, and we may
go further and assert that il may cure cer-
tain pulmonary affections, provided they
be not acute.
The riding of velocipede quickens the
circulation, and the heart beats are
stronger and more rapid than in any
other exercise, because of the exercise of
the lower muscles, which are the most
powerful and which give out the most
carbonic gas.
The question of circulation suggests the
idea of position on the wheel. Ii is natu-
raj that the bicyclist who races has his
seat and handle high to accelerate speed.
But this must be considered an eXcep-
ton in wheeling. The bicycle is espe-
cialIy a vehicle for road riding and
promenading. and the rider must be
seated in the most comfortable manner
and one the least conducive to ailments.
The wheelman, therefore, must sit on
his wheel as erect as if he were sitting in a
chair.
What kind of a wheel must woman
use aud what kind of seat is the most
comfortable? Her choice becomes
numerous. a number of doctors advise
women 10 ride the tricycle. because the
general pose is more secure; others de-
clare that the tandem is the ideal way for
q woman to wheel. She, being at the
helm directs, while her companion pro-
vides the strength. But the choice of
the machine is less important than that
OF the seat. In the first place, the seal
must be elastic and we'll suspended, and
the rider must feel as little jolting az
possible. The seat must be rounded in
stead of pointed and placed so that the
chest viii be well brought forward.
The question Of digestion Is also an i'm
portant one IN reference to wheeling.
Breathing through the nose and keeping
ones mouth from getting dry Is an aid TO
digestion and conducive to d healthy state
OF the stomach. The wbeelman must,
therefore, see that his mouth and throat
do not become parched. Anything kept
IN the mouth. like piece of toothpick or
pebble, contributes to keeping up the
secretion Of the saliva. a dry mouth and
throat ObIige the wheelman to drink Often,
and a large quantity of lIq uid, OF whatever
nature II may be, ends by facilitating or
irritating the stomach.
Drinking and the kind Of drinks must
be an individual study. French doctors
recommend warm tea and coffee without
sugar or very little sweetened. Ii has
been found that warm drinks Quench the
thirst and do not heat as much as cold
drinks. Mix is a good drink, especially
with few drops Of rum IN il, for persons
who can digest II. Those who cannot
may find it beneficial and digesti Die by
putting d few grains CT bicaroouate OF
soda into the milk. Lemonade, for gem
eral use, is considered harmful. Still It
may be drunk when refreshing drink is
thought absolutely necessary.
Men who are confined in offices, all
persons suffering from dyspepsia arising
from want of exercise, are greatly bene-
fitted by riding wheel. Many expert
ence a lassitude during the first half
hour, little by little revive and are sur
prised at the amount OF fresh vigOr they
regain.
Wheeling momentarily expands the
senses OF smell and taste, and the sense OF
touch is much developed during AMI after,
but the muscular sense Is the one which
improves the most
1t is said that wheeling has cured
chronic cases arising Irom abuses of al
cohol, morphine tobacco, chloral and
ether. 1t has also been beneficial TO per-