The Mena weekly star., 1897-08-25
WOMAN AND THE WHEEL.
Ghe Bicycle Is Accomplishing More
 Than Dress Reform.

ghe Bicycle Is Accomplishing More
 Than Dress Reform.
 Women do we'll to ride the wheel, says Dr. Sayre. Ut means a 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 it's 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. itis giving women healthy diversion, teaching them self-control and self-relance, and making them fit physically to be the mothers of race of giants.
 ''I 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. It is more than likely to do them serious physical harm, but with a properly formed saddle there is no danger whatever.
 American women are prone to be morbid. It is a 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. It gives them opportunity to breathe, and to breathe means better blood.
 "They leave off their corsets when they ride, though they will not do so al any other time. Perhaps the bicycle will kill corsets. That would be 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 cases. 1t is mistake to say that wheel ing develops curved spines. 1t doesn't that is, unless riders insist upon scorching.' The bes&-by which l mean the easiest and most graceful riders are straight backed They nave more power if they ride erect. That is one great reason why wheeling benefits women. It makes themsit up straight. If they will do that, consumption will be an unknown disease in three years.
 No amount of preaching about dress reform has the influence of the bicycle Theory is good and logic is good, but putting a woman on wheel and letting her go out on our smooth roads. where she has a freedom she had not thought of before. is an argument that is effec- tive. 1t wins her 10 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.
 "Ihe need of keeping balanced makes wheel riding of especial value to woln. en, for it is a 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 il 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 a man physically as we'll 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.
 Consumption fin Goats