The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-09-04
WOMAN AND THE WHEEL
TIE Bicycle Is Accomplishing More
Than Dress Reform.

TIE Bicycle LIS Accomplishing More
Than Dress Reform.
Women do well to ride the Wheel
says DIR. Sayre. ut means stronger.
healthier race of men and women for
the coming generation. Women were
going into a decline. Their nervous
force was wearing out. That means
great deal, for the decay of nation be-
gins always with the breaking up of the
nervous system of its women. Nor
dau's book on degeneration had some
excuse, as is shown by the discussion
it brought about. He had some strong
points on which to base his argument,
but he was not thoroughly justified,
and even if he were, the bicycle is prov
ing itself to be the remedy. 1t is giving
women healthy diversion, teaching
them self-control and self-reliance, and
making them fit physically to be the
mothers of race of giants.
Il know that some of the women re-
formers have objected to wheels, and
with justice, too; but now that saddles
adapted for women are speciality with
saddle makers, the chief grounds for
objection are removed. Saddles for
men and saddles for women should be
different. The ordinary saddle, mod
eled on the plan of the comman horse
saddle for men, is not at all suitable
for women. 1t is more than likely to
do them serious physical harm, but
with properly formed saddle there is
no danger whatever.
american women are prone to be
morbid. 1t is result of the busy life
of the nation. They have stayed in
doors too much, and have gotten into
the habit of thinking about themselves,
worrying and fussing when there was
really no need of it. Now the bicycle
gives them inducement to go out into
the open air, to enjoy the country, to
be in touch with other people. 1t gives
them opportunity to breathe, and to
breathe means better blood.
'sThey leave off their corsets when
they ride, though they will not do so at
any other time. Perhaps the bicycle
will kill corsets. That would be a grand
victory for the wheel.
"Dr. Townsend has taken pains to
study this bicycle question. He has re-
ports from Is women physicians in Bos-
ton, all but one of whom heartily rec
ommend wheeling, especially in cases
of malnutrition and chronic pelvic dis
eases. 1t is mistake to say that wheel
ing develops curved spines. 1t doesn't
that is, unless riders insist upon
'scorching.' The best-by which
mean the easiest and most graceful
riders are straight backed. They have
more power if they ride erect. Thati is
one great reason why wheeling benefits
women. 1t makes them sit up straight.
If they will do that, consumption will
be an unknown disease in three years.
mo amount of preaching about dress
reform has the influence of the bicycle.
Theory is good and logic is good, but
putting woman on wheel and letting
her go out on our smooth roads, where
she has freedom she had not thouk4t
of before, is an argument that is effec-
tive. 1t wins her to reform. She gives
up corsets and heavy clothing; she
dresses for work instead of for play;
she begins to see that clothes may be
governed by intelligence, and as re-
suit she is healthy.
1.-THE need of keeping balanced makes
wheel riding of especial value to wom-
en-, for it is demand that they control
themselves. 1t also teaches self-reli-
ance-something many of them need.
A woman guiding herself along the
streets learns that she is able to take
care of herself, even if there is not a
man at her elbow. She is surprised,
probably, to find this out; but if she
keeps at wheeling she will learn that
she is every bit as strong as man
physically as well as mentally. She can
develop physical power quite equal to
mans. and she can use it to as contin-
uous advantage. The bicycle will prove
this to her satisfaction and to the bene.
fit of her race."-N. Y. Herald.