Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-09
DANGERS OF OCEAN BATHING.
Many Lives Lost at the Seaside Re-
sorts Through FOOlhardiness.

From the St. Louis Globe Democrat
Now comes the season for bathing and
swimming, and many persons will lose
their lives at the seaside resorts simply
because they do not follow the rules that
Ordinary common sense Dictates" said Dr.
Henry Dimmert Of New York, who was at
the Planters
1T may be well to mention few famil-
lar facts, that the dangers to which
bath ers often expose themselves may be
avoided. One of the simplest of these facts
is that, in all bodily exercises, modera-
ton is beneficial end excess in dangerous
in swimming. Especially is this true If
the bather suffers from organic or func-
tiCDal heart trouble. The man who uses
tobacco to excess or who is weakened by
lcng confinement at q sedentary occupa-
ton needs to take fully as much care as
he who Is the victim of chronic disease of
the heart No sensible man would attempt
to run as far as his strength would permit,
If at the limit of his endurance, he knew
he must go through an equal amount of
violent exercise to save his life. Yet fool
ish men and foolish boys daily try to see
how far they can swim, put their lives in
peril and alarm and worry the spectators
on the shore by their exhausted efforts to
return. The first dip Is especially danger
Gus, and the expert who knows that he
can make the second buoy because he did
1t last year would better rest content In
t-iS SoA3lNSASS Try some SQ0rtSc ana
safer trip for his first dip of the season.
THE folly of bathers always causes much
agitation among sensitiye-minded people on
the beaches of our seaside resorts. To see
human being struggling in full view in
peril of his life while the spectator Is help
less is sufficient shock to ruin the pleasure
of hard-earned holiday. Visitors to the
board walks or the piers are daily enter
taIned by these foolhardy exhibitions of
bathers
Almost all the deaths among the
bathers by drowning result either from
heart failure or cramp, and not from fail
| ure of skill or muscular force. A skilifui
| swimmer can rest quite easily, rocked in
| the cradle of the Deep provided his heart
and nervous strength are not already ex-
\ hausted by violent muscular exertion. IT,
| however. the circulation Is impeded or the
/ nervous strength exhausted, cerebral con-
| gestion, heart failure or nervous spasm
| is liable to seize even the expert and rem
| der him as power1ess as q baby In the
| mighty arms of the oceans waves The
much by exposure to cold as by muscular
| exercise. To remain in the water until one
| is chilled through-blue. trembling and
| chattering-is to invite cramp. 1t is Sig
| nal that the blood from the surface has
| retreated to the central citadels, and that
| the blood strain on these is at the danger
| mark. Such exercise is not a benefit to the
| health, but a distinct harm. A sand bath
| for all who suffer thus is far more
| Strengthening. One should never battle
| just after eating-that Is an old rule sup
! household, but hundreds seem to forget 1t
| at the seashore. The advice to ell Is mod
GRAFTON in swimming at the seaside re-
| sorts"