Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-10-26
SEVERE PHYSICAL TASKS.
6at Not Dangerous when properly
Managed Feat OF
Teddy Hale.

People disposed to condemn tasks
ST great severity learn something of
interest from the report of the physi-
:ian who recently examined the cham
oion long-distance bicyclist, Teddy"
Hale, remarks the New York Sun.
When the examination was made Hale
nad nearly finished the remarkable
feat of riding 100 miles a day (Sun-
days excepted) for a year. Tests of
muscular endurance similar to his
nave occurred in this country, but
none has ever equaled it. Moreover,
the performance and the conclusions
Of the doctor will be particularly in
teresting to New Workers because
they concern a man who has been
seen and admired here for his pluck
and fairness.
Hale was within two days of COM
pleting his task, having thus pedalled
more than 81. 900 miles. when he visit
ed the physician. The latter said:
81 was perfectly castonished at his
condition. He looked healthy and
we'll, but was thin. though not too
finely drawn, being well covered from
head to foot. His muscular system
was by no means overdeveloped, the
muscles of his arms and trunk being
smooth and firm, and there were no
indications whatever that he was in
any way muscle bound.'"
And to those who argue that, while
tasks requiring the continuous appG-
cation of bodily strength may work
no immediate injury, they are certain
to be harmful afterward, the follow
ing opinion of the doctor will be in
structive:
His nervous system was in perfect
order, and there was no excitement
or sign of worry. The heart itself
was enlarged. This condition of heart
is what must be expected in anybody
who has led an active athletic exist
ence, the heart muscle in such a per-
son becoming enlarged, and thus rem
dered capable of performing the work
which is set before it in the same
way that the muscles of the arm be-
come enlarged in blacksmith from
welding a sledge hammer; and so
long as Hale remains in health and
is careful not to suddenly drop all
active exercise, it is not likely to give
him any trouble in his future career"
The doctor accounts for the COM
parative ease with which the ride was
accomplished by the fact that Hale
refused to be hurried" He never
hesitated to cease riding for an hour
or more in order to rest or to take re-
freshments. He ate his meals as reg
ularly as possible, and confined his
diet to foods that were readily digest
ible. In the middle of the day he
drank a bottle of beer, and another
bottle in the evening; and it is init
mated by the doctor that, in perform
ing tasks similar to the one described,
''a moderate consumption of alcohol
is beneficial, rather than o .herwise.
In conclusion, the doctor empha-
sizes the assertion that it was by slow
and methodical preparation that Hale
was able to sustain his great effort,
and as to the effect of such unusual
exertion, he says:
cit shows how the human frame
will adopt itself to circumstances, and
that it is capable of long continued
and sustained efforts when properly
managed and only not injured, but
actually improved in health by accom-
plishing that which would easily
break up a person who had not be-
come gradually Injured to the stress