The record-union., 1898-11-19

world, wlliles at the same time the old
world Within him is becoming clean and
new. Take away the bicycle and there
is almost nothing left the ordinary NOR
tai in the way Of healthful, pleasura-
bic exercise, excepting walking and
running; and it is well worth our while
to consider whether these may not be
converted into substitutes during those
periods when the weather will not per-
nit cycling--bu but this is another story.
1 may be asked why do not prescribe
walking instead of cycling for women
This question has been we'll answered
by patients themselves. | was urging
lady to walk as q relief from nervous
worry-sNo," she replied, walking will
not do, for think while walk, and
If am on a wheel cannot think-nly
mind for the time being is absolutely at
rest from worries And / thought to
myself the wheel is a much better seda-
tive than bromidess or opium. Such a
nepenthe is surely worth while. So
much for the nerves of women.
But have testimony from the strong
er sex also. A business man who was
carrying immense financial burdens told
me that insomnia was taking hold of
first part Of the night, but awoke in the
very early morning-would lie and toss
and think until his brain seemed on
| fire, and in that state went TO his Office
ldaily. prescribed an early ride on the
wheel, as it was then spring time. He
made the same remark that while rid
ing he stopped thinking, and it rested
his head as no drug could possibly rest
fiy7aa aa
doing all its fine work on his blood and
muscles. After his ride his bath, and
his breakfast he went to his office and
the work there did ITSELF he slept
like a top and all the wheels within
worked like a charm because of the
wheel without.
This may be beneficial to the nerves,
but how about congestions and inf1am-
nations? In acute cases people are
generally too i'll to sit up, much less
to go out on a wheel, SO we are called
upon to decide this question. How
ever, it is quite safe to say that all
such chronic conditions are benefited
by cycling-the exercise is a much bet
! ter derivative than is poultice or
| plaster. People who have tumors or
| assesses would better have them re-
moved before attempting the wheel.
| The requisites on the part of the
| cyclist, then, do not include a perfectly
| sound body One of my very first
cases was given only three months of
/ life by lung specialist of much repu-
/ tation several hemorrhages had al
ready taken place. The wheel and ap-
propriate remedies have prolonged that
Woman's life ten years, not in a sickly,
| but in a, strong, robust Way
One Of the first requisites, whether
the rider be delicate or strong, is mod
| Grafton. Riding for speed subverts
the very end of the exercise-it is like
rowing or running or doing anything
else for speed it finally conquers the
/ conquerer-and the most sickening,
| narrowing sight is the continuous race.
The associations of. wheelmen should
do all in their power to suppress these
public exhibitions of human idiocy.
! Another essential, especially for wo-
men, is an appropriate dress, and there
is no law against gentleman also be-
ing appropriately dressed. 1 never
could understand why it was necessary
that a man should wear the garb of a
circus clown in order to ride a wheel.
| In the past year or two the women
have come nobly to the rescue in the
matter of genteel dress. The short
hair, the bloomer, and the chewing
gum have well nigh disappeared. The
plain cloth, medium length, medium
width gown is no hindrance, and has
the further advantage and economy of
being a good rainy day gown for walk
ing.
Another essential is to learn how 10
ride. Many are riding without this
knowledge There are few mechanical
principles to be observed. One is to
have the gearing so arranged as to
have the pedal on a level with the
foot when the foot is extended.
| Another is to have the saddle so
placed as to bring the weight Of the
| body directly over the wheel when the
latter is at its lowest point.
/ Still another, is to lower the handle
bars sufficiently to allow the body to
bend forward slightly from the hips
not STOPPING from the shoulders, there
! by cempressing the lungs. Nearly all
| beginners bend the spine backward
! from the hips. AS a rule, young chill
dren if the gearing is correct, take the
normal position.
/ Finally, the rider should sit, as IN a
! chair upon the bones or tuberosities
of the pelvis, and should, on no ac-
count, allow the weight of the body
| to rest upon the tissues situated be-
/ tween these bony prominences. In
! deed, the danger of serious injury re-
| sulting both to children and adults
| from riding saddle constructed in
ignorance of correct anatomical prin-
| ciples is so great that it is always
wise to refer the saddle question TO
competent physician.
/ Beside the very important question
| of saddle is that of the wheel itself.
Tt must be thoroughly well made, OF
the best material, and it must not be
too light. Too light wheel gains no
momentum to speak Of while the jar
ring and vibrations are very disagree
able, if not injurious. There must pc
/ a, certain weight and solidity.
Finally the wheel by its economy
of money and time permits the rider
to avail himself of new scenes and
places. giving pleasurable sensations,
the absence of which in exercise for
1.-THE sake of health alone is the reason
WHY health seldom responds to the call
of such perfunctory exercise. The heart
is not in it.
Real Estate Transfers.