The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-08
Hygiene of the Automobile


Some medical authorities hold that the
automobilist who allows his desire for
speed to render him obliyious of all
danger suffers from delirious intoxi-
cation similar to that produced by the
use of morphine. Drivers OF this sort,
says DR.. HAcHET-SoUPLET, for example,
develop characteristics which are for
egn to them when in the normal state,
such as boastfulness, combativeness,
crabbedness, mischievousness and ha-
tred.' In other words, they possess
what may be called speed mania.
1t has also been alleged that to the
use of the automobile may be traced
deafness, bronchial troubles and certain
forms of catarrh, and that the faster
one travels the more likely he will be
to fall victim to one or all Of these
Affections. The automobile squirt is
said to come from constantly looking
ahead for objects in the road when NOV
ing rapidly, and several cases OF this
aiment have been treated in Europe.
On the other side of the question
teresting views from Baron HENRI DE
RoTHsCHILp. In an address to the
members of the Automobile Club of
Great Britain and Ireland, Baron ROTH
scHILD spoke in high terms Of the auto
mobile as an agent of health. He
pointed out that numerous cases of
nervous debility known az neurasthenia
had been entirely cured by motor car
rides at regular and frequent intervals.
Certain forms Of hypochondria, also,
had been treated successfully in the
same way, the fresh air having accom-
plished the desired result. With seven
hours of sleep daily, said he, person
may motor for two hours in the morn
ing and three hours in the afternoon
with pleasure and advantage to health.
He recommends, however, that the
speed should not exceed thirty miles
an hour, if this rule is followed.
Baron RoTHsCHILD admits that an
excess of automobilism may cause nerv-
Gus troubles. due to long continued
vibration with their usual consequences
of insomnia, fever and defective blood
circulation" He regards reoord-break-
ing as a sport by itself, which should not
be confused with the ordinary pastime.
The former " is the recreation Of sound
men who can stand almost anything
and is unsafe for persons of the average
strength, not to mention those of in
ferior powers.
I'll -hN1a thn i'm rf Por
RoTHscH1LD comedies with that ex-
pressed some months ago by the great
surgeon, Sir HENRY THOMPSON, in his
book, Motor Cars and Health As to
vibration, however, Sir HENRY holds
that the easy jolting experienced
when riding at high rate OF speed has
much the same effect as does horseback
riding. Much of the benefit to auto
mobilists of nervous temperament, he
declares, is produced by the air blowing
on the face. The nerves Of the face
are acted upon with beneficial results.
Furthermore, says this authority the
action of the air on the face and the
continual inspiration of fresh air tend
to promote sleep He believes that
the automobile assists materially in pre-
venting insomnia.
1t is possible to rob any sort Of outdoor
exercise of its beneficial effects by over
doing it, and automobiling is no exoep-
ton TO the rule While scorohing is bad
for all concerned, motoring with
prudence and in moderation is UNI
doubleday healthful.