Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-11-19

aorne of the Effects OF Too Close
- Devotion to the Wheel


It 10 agreed by medical men that tne
bicycle may produce effects on the
rider Of decided benefit to health,
always providing, of course. tAe
the machine il used with a due ap-
preciation of the injuries which the
wheel is also capable of infiicting.
The subject Of this sketch, however,
n not 20 much the rider who rides the
wheel properly and obtains benefit
therefrom, a. the one who rides Tor rid-
ing's sake and with no regard what
ever for his physical welfare. In otnei
words, the bicycle fiend, who rides with
the apparent purpose OF making him.
self ridiculous.
OF all the deformities produced by
hiking the strained, nervous expression
known as the bicycle face is most pro-
nounced. It is so common nowadays
that a 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 30 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 are
two common varieties of this defOrmity.
The first u produced when the rider
bends forward and lowers his head as
II 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 II 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, 10 far that his head and neck
form q right angle with the upper part
of his back. -
Bicycle arms may be seen on thu
boulevard any pleasant day. The fienc
spins along with his back and neck o.
described above and his elbows project
ing outward as far as possible. He Il
usually SO accustomed to this abnorma
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 to
their share in the general deformity
The hands are usually held at pro
nounced angle with the arms, and or
obliged to support the entire weight o
the upper part of the body. -
Bicycle legs are also characteristic o
this peculiar specimen. They are usu
ally knock.kneed, with an abnorma
development of the calf. The peculia
position of the feet causes him to toe In
producing bicycle toes, similar to pigeo
toes. -
Al a result Of indiscriminate riding
searching and racing, we see q lonG
strained and nervous-visaged, crooked
necked, round-shouldered, narrow
chested, .hump-backed, knock-kneed an
pigeon-toed specimen of humanit!
whose elbows protrude at the time
and whose hands resemble those G
Johanna more nearly than those Of an
normal specimen of the genus homo.
Not only does this specimen disfigur
himself, but he is apt to injure his ey'
sight. French eye specialists have n
corded numerous cases of visual di
turbances among bicyclers. The moi
common form of the trouble is found !
those who ride at a very rapid pace an
climb steep hills.
Riders are usually seized with sevea
vertigo and sudden diminution {
vision in one or both eyes. When tt
eyes are examined by an oculist trace
Of retinL hemorrhage are usual
found.
The heart also suffers as o result {
scorching and long-distance racin
From over-acting it may become dill
ted and very much enlarged, causin
serious trouble.-J. F. Whitmyer, \
D., in N. Y. World. .a..