The herald., 1895-09-01
THE BICYCLE IS 4 curse
So Say Several Physicians
of San Francisco
1T RAILROADS THE SPINE
Causes Earthquakes in the PhySical
Structure of the Homo
1t is Said to Induce Heart Disease to Upright
1T RAILROADS THE SPINE
II Is Said to Induce Heart Disease to Upright
Riders by Reason of the Micro-
scopic Saddle in Vogue

Associated Press Special Wire
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 31.-The death
OF young man in Oakland few days
ago from the effects OF bicycle riding has
started a discussion among local physi-
clans with regard to the effects OF cycling
upon the human system. AS result Of
the discussion, half a dozen OF the most
prominent doctors in the city have united
in branding the bicycle as curse to hu-
manity. Here is what DR.. James Simpson
says OF the wheel:
"People are killing themselves because
of the bicycle craze. Wheeling may
some day become a legitimate exercise,
but don't see what benefit person de-
rives from it. I'm attending three pa.
tients now who hurt themselves falling
off wheels, and others who are suffering
from complaints due to cycling. No good
ever comes from wheeling. It's all nom
sense, and | would not allow any of my
children tp ride. Pm talking now both
as a parent and doctor. The wheel is in
furious, no matter what they say to the
contrary.
my daughter in NewYork wrote to me
some time ago that she had wheel and
was learning to use it. l at once replied
| had too much love and regard for a
child of mine to allow her on a wheel.
She was fond of riding. but she gave it
up at my request. | dou't like the bicycle
in the first place. and am utterly opposed
to OVERRIDING the thing. aNo wonder the
Oakland young man died. The continu-
Gus bending and the humping injured
those soft cushions of tissues between the
yertebrae, until they were finally de-
stroyed. If people must ride | consider
the high handles the best, provided the
wheel is used in moderation. But it
does not benefit anyone"
DIR. r. Beverly Cole said he did not
know much about the bicycle, but was
familiar with the complaint known as
''railrosd spine.
"I have no doubt" he said. "but that
the effects of the wheel are equally as bad.
Some years ago the railroad spine at
tracted considerable attention in Great
Britain AID on the continent. The rail-
way carr .ges there are lighter than ours
and consequently tho iolting IS greater.
1t is in the constant jar Of the spinal
cord in this easement that causes the
trouble.
"If such disease can rise from the jolt
ing of a railway carriage it is much more
likely to result. should think, from the
Dum ping Ol u UlCyCie. LNeIy icNoihtioi
of the wheel is accompanied by a jar
which shakes the entire system. The
bending posture doesn't tend to that
complaint. In fact 1t would be more
likely 10 result from the upright, because
the whole length of the spine is subjected
to the Jolt. Moderate exercise on the
wheel will injurs no one. the trouble
with the new craze is that it is carried to
where there is no reason, sense or rhyme
either in man or woman. And the craze
will eventually lead to new and compli-
Gated diseases in both sexes, unless mod
era ton is speedily observed.
DR.. Tension Deane says that until the
bicycle seat is differently constructed the
railroad spine will continue to menace
wheelmen. AS it is now arranged the
saddle throws the weight of the body
upon too small a space, which, coupled
with the jolting and the unnatural posi-
tion of the body leads to fatal results.
DR.. d Evelyn likens the effect of bicycle
riding to physical earthquake. The
The spine is subject to constantly recur-
ring tenn blors which eventually destroy
the tissues and result id the railroad
malady. According to the DOCTOR
''scorchers' are not as liable to suffer
from the corporation spine. The high
handles com bine heart trouble with the
jolting of the back and the end comes
more quickly.