Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-01-28
NEW FOOTBALL.
Harvard Statistics Show Injuries
Much Lessened Since New Game
Came In,

That new football has greatly lessen
ed the number of injuries received by
members of a varsity squad is very
vividly shown by the figures which
have been compiled by DR.. Edward H.
Nichols and DR.. Frank L. Richardson,
both of whom have been in medical
charge of Harvard's football teams for
d number of years. These figures ap-
pear in the Boston Medical and Surgi-
cal Journal in connection with an ar
tfcle by these physicians and go back
as far as 1905, the year before forward
pass and Onside kick and other new
features were introduced to open up
the play.
In 1905, according to the table, there
were 20 men in the squad and AS in
juries during the season. This number
is larger than the combined total of
injuries received in 1906, 1907 and 1908
which is 113, or "a each in 1906 and
1908 and As in 1907.
After going, in detail, into several OF
the more serious injuries, their causes
and the method of treatment, the arti-
Gle has the following to say about the
prevention of injuries:
1.-The players always have claimed
that many of the football injuries
could be avoided by skilful players. 1t
undoubtedly is true that the skilful
men are less liable to injury than the
Unframed ones, but no skill is sufficient
to entirely prevent injuries. Many of
the common injuries can be much di-
unfinished; for instance. during the past
season no 'poops due to quick starting
were received. This was the result of
preliminary exercise and of slow de-
Nelopment of the men. Proper padding
also prevents many of the injuries
This year, instead of leaving it to the
option of the players, all men were alb
solutely compelled to wear proper pro-
tection, which included headgears pads
for the coilarbone and shoulders, pads
over the anterior superior spines for ali
backs, thigh guards, pads for the
knees, and braced SHOES. AS a result,
there were only three cases of 'concus-
sion this year, all of slight degree.
There were three 'poops,' one of which
was received by q man who, against
orders. played without his thigh
guards: that is, injuries were reduced
to minimum as far as mechanical
protection made it possible.
injuries also are avoided by not
playing injured men until they have
entirely recovered. There is no profit
in playing 4 cripple. The best player
that ever lived, in poor condition, is not
as effective as a third-string man in
good condition.
Another important factor Is TO
avoid playing men to the point of ex-
ilsluoNAOli- ~ lOI5 DIS a man Is fresh
and vigorous he IS enabled to use his
skill to protect himself from injury.
The minute ne is completely tired and
exhausted his muscles have lost their
ability to protect him. This year in
particular tired men have been early
removed from the game and their
places taken by fresh men.
"An examination of the figures
shows that there has been a marked
and steady diminution in the percent
age of injuries since the revision of the
football rules. All the diminution Of
injuries, however. is not due to the
changes in the rules; some is due to
the better and enforced protection Of
the men, to the fact that no cripples
were played. and that no man was
played TO the point Of exhaustion. Mt
less in Importance has been the care
and attention of a clever, intelligent
trainer. Not only has the number of
injuries been markedly diminished. but
there has been a great diminution in
the average of severity, and the char
acter of the game has been changed
for the better. -.ot only from the point
of view of the player and the specta-
tor. but also from that of the sur
geon."