Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1896-09-02
BIKE DEFURMTIEs.
Some OF the Hnects OF TOO Close
Devotion 10 theeWneel


It Is agreed by medical men that the
bicycle may produce EFFECTS on the
rider of decided benefit to health.
always providing, of course, (. tke
the machine Il used with a due Sp-
probation of the injuries. which the
wheel is also capable Of indicdnG. :
I The subject Of this sketch, however,
is not 30 much the rider who rides the
wheel properly and obtains benefit
therefrom, AZ the one who rides for rid
iing's sake and with no regard what
ever for his phySical welfare. In other
words, the bicycle fend, who rides with
the apparent purpose Of making him
self ridiculous. 49,. .. e..
! OF al the deformities produced by
hiking the strained, nervous expression
known a. the bicycle face Is most pro-
nounced.E It is so common nowadays
that q description Of it. here would be
. waste Of valuable space. -
Another common deformity is the
bicycle back, which is produced by the
cramped, crouching and stoop-shoul.
dered position so much affected by
scorchers. This position cramps. the
chest and its contents, thus limiting the
breathing capacity of the lungs. -
The bicycle neck is also becoming
more prominent every day. There arc
two common varieties Of this deformity.
The first Is produced when the rider
bends forward md lowers his head as
if he were trying to touch the tire of the
forward wheel with his nose. In this
position the riders back and neck de-
scribe a half circle. The other form of
neck is produced when the rider sits
astride his machine in much the same
position, with the exception that he
holds his head back as far as possible
in fact, 80 far that his head and neck
form a right angle with the upper part
Of his back. o.
Bicycle arms may be seen on the
boulevard any pleasant day. The fiend
spins along with his back and neck rs
described above and his elbows project
ing outward as far as possible. He is
usually so accustomed to this abnormal
position that he finds it'next to impos-
sible to straighten his arms and assume
any other when not riding.
The hands and wrists also come in for
their share i'm the general defqTnIity.
The hands are usually held at pro-
nounced angle with the arms, and are
obliged to support the entire weight Of
the upper part of the body. ... .
Bicycle legs are also characteristic of
this peculiar specimen. They are usu-
ally knock-kneed, with an abnormal
development Of the calf. The peculiar
position of the feet causes him to toe in,
producing bicycle toes, similar to pigeon
toes. ~ -: +' 'S2,N7''. :,
AA a result Of indiscriminate riding,
Ecorching and racing, we see q long,
strained and neryous.yisaged, crooked
neoked, round-shouldered,, narrow
chested yhump-backed, lCnock-kneed and
pigeon-toed specimen of ;. humanity,
whose elbows protrude at the times
and whoee hands resemble those Of
johanna more nearly than those Of any
normal specimen of the genus homo, !,
Not only does this specimen lisfguS
himself, but he u apt to injure his eye
sight. French eye specialists have rer
corded numerous. cases of visual dis
turbances among bicy6lers! The most
common form Of the trouble is foundin
those who ride at avery rapid pace and
climb steep hills. &
Riders are usually seized with severe
vertigo and a sudden diminntion of
vision in one or both eyes. When the
eyes are examined by IN oculist;traoes
OF retinal @hemorrhage are usually
sound. f,.-a
The heart also suffers as a result Of
scorehing and slong-distAnce, racing.
From over-acting IL may become dila-
ted and very much enlarged, causing
serious trouble. F. Whitmyer, n,
D., in N. Y. World. !
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