Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1896-02-11

prophylactic and az a curative
agent Like other outdoor exer-
cises il takes its votaries away
from the vitiated air Of closed
rooms; but it has several advanta-
ges peculiarly it's own. II is less
expensive and safer than horse
back riding. For the female sex
it is also healthier, since horse
back riding, if indulged in Too
much or at too early an age, is apt
to produce a funnel-shaped pei
Wis, which abnormslity may prove
a serious obstacle to childbirth.
It has much more variety and in
terest than walking, except in To-
calities that offer such steep as
cents and descents that the blcy-
Gle cannot be used. It also allows
the rider to see much more and to
cover a much greater distance IN
the same time. 1t has the a6vant-
age over games that 1t can be in
dulged in for a longer time with
out causing fatigue or becoming
tedious.
Although we have seen that GER
tain groups Of muscles come chief
ly into play, all the muscles Of the
body are used more or less, and
are thereby strengthened. Good
fresh air is plentifully drawn into
the lungs, and the capacity of
these organs is increased, especial
ly by maintaining the straight po-
sition in riding. A person who
only works and walks hardly ever
fills his lungs; but the bicyclist
needs all the air he can inspire,
and good respiration causes a more
perfect oxidation of the blood, and
good blood means healthy tissues,
strong nerves, and normal secre-
tions. Normal peptic juices di-
gest all food. The elimination of
waste material through the skin
and lungs is increased; which also
purifes the blood. The whole
nervous system is highly bene-
fitted by bicycling. The rider
must constantly use the sense of
hearing, seeing and feeling in
order to avoid collisions, direct
his machine, and keep his equilib-
rum. This exercise, therefore,
is in a high degree apt to draw
the mind away from its usual pur-
suits and the cares of daily life.
1t is highly exhilarating and pro-
notes sociability, since it is both
pleasanter and safer to ride in
company than alone. In women
it is apt to overcome the impul-
siveness and whimsicality which
render so many of them unhappy.
If bicycling is an excellent pre-
ventive Of disease and a promoter
of good health, it is of no less
value as q remedy for certain
pathological conditions. BY itr
effect on respiration and digestion
bicycling becomes a potent remedy
for anemia, that condition Of the
blood which consists IN a diminu-
ton of the red blood-corpuscles
and shows itself in pallor Of the
skin and the mucous membranes
Numerous nervous troubles are re.
lieved OF cured by this exercise
such as neurasthenia, or nervous
prostration,-a condition usually
due to overwork or worry, and il
which the normal strength is lost
and the slightest exertion causes
fatigue and physical and menta
exhaustion. The same holds gooC
in regard to headache, insomnia
and neuralgia. Among the nerv
GUS affections benefited by bicy
Gle riding may also be included
the troublesome disease, asthma
a cramp-like contraction of tn,
muscles Of the bronchial tubes
which causes a painful sensation
of choking. In the beginning o
phthlsis where parts of the lunI
tissue become condensed and les
pervious, moderate bicycle ridinI
is helpful Many diseases Of tn
intestinal canal-such as dyspep
STA, constipation and hemorrhoid
yield to the effects Of wheeling
A case has recently come to tn
writer's knowledge in which th
stiffness remaining after a fraC
ture Of the leg was successfull
treated by riding a bicycle.
But if bicycling is a valuabl
resource in certain diseased COZ
ditions. there are numerous oil
ers in which it is harmful {
sbould onIv ba induloed Ia YER