Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1915-10-07

loss OF speed and energy over a course
Of moderate length the double loss will
increase proportionately the farther
one goes.
AS pointed out in previous articles,
the only way to master a correct stroke
is to start on short stretches, taken ut
slow pace under the guidance of a COM
petent instructor, if possible, and to
then lengthen the distance gradually,
avoiding speed work altogether.
One of the usual mistakes incurred
hard. Excessive work invariably re-
duces weight and lowers vitality, both
assets to be highly valued, the former
because it tends to minimize the ill eff
fectS Of cold and prolonged dimensions,
the latter for self evident reasons.
1t is we'll. in training, to swim no
farther than one mile, as a rule. One
may then accustom the muscles to the
wanted action without danger Of draw
ing too heavily on ones resources and
when it comes to attempting a particu-
larly hard feat the stored fund Of en-
ergy will stand one in good stead. Of
course, it is advisable at intervals to
thoroughly try out ones stamina, but
this should be done rarely, and never
within a week or less of Il race or i'm
portant test.
The question of eating and drinking
during a swim of several hours is one
! upon which watermen seldom agree,
Int ,onIioo o,,+1or;t;o. /1,;,, 4b,+ - =,
best to take Very little, for the digcs-
tive organs are rot in normal condi-
ton, and, furthermore. their effort to
perform the allotted functions draws
the blood from the surfaces, lowering
the temperature and generally causing
chills or cramps.
Practical experiments s~ubstantiate
the claim too. 1t has been ascertain
ed that to the great majority solid food
is harmful instead of beneficial, and
that even liquids-bouillon, coffee, etc.
cannot be safely recommended, for
they often cause nausea. Some seem
able to take care Of administered food,
and they probably profit thereby, but
they mark the exception. The problem
OF what to do is best left for individ-
ual solution.
The use of alcoholic beverages and
other stimulants, however, can be con-
demned without hesitation. Doubtless
they give Il temporary and Elusive feel
ing of increased strength, but a heavy
reaction soon follows, and the artificial
stimulation is dangerous, for during
the period Of comparative eXhilaration
the heart is working at abnormally
high pressure and strain upon it is ter
rifle.
1t has long been recognized that the
great enemy of the distance swimmer
is cold and the habit has spread of
lighting it by coating the entire body
With oils II greaSeS Of various kinds.
But OF late doubt has been expressed
concerning the wisdom of the practice.
Some point out that when man is I'M
dergoing physical effort his working
muscles produce poisonous substances
which must be eliminated through the
blood vessels and the pores of the skin,
or fatigue and exhaustion result. If.
therefore, the pores are clogged and
closed the disposal Of the poisons is
hampered and the heart is subjected
to undue stress when it %endeayors, as
it does. to accomplish the task alone.
Probably the best plan to follow is
the n advocated recently-namely, to
treat With grease only those portions
of the body where large arteries are
near the surface, and leave the others
Tree to aid i'll the eliminatory process.
One Of the distressing features of dis
lance swimming in the sea is the ac-
ton of the brine on the eyes, which oc-
caSiOnS what is known as salt water
blindness. At times complete loss OF
sight is experienced for awhile. When
Charles Durborow made his record
breaking swim across Delaware bay
his vision became blurred after about
four hours, and later Il black curtain
closed around him, so that during the
last part of the fourteen hour trip he
was forced to navigate by sound only,
the men on the plotting craft striking
the stern loudly with an oar to direct
his course.
NOSSleS udtS Dccu ucNlSeu TO over.
come the trouble. They are shaped
carefully to the nose and optical cavi-
ties and surrounded by a strip of soft
rubber which, if properly fitted, ex-
cludes the water entirely. They are
hard to adjust perfectly, however, and
quite useless if they allow any leakage.
An excellent idea is to provide ones
handlers with a soothing wash-boracic
acid and rosewater are the usual in.
~gredients-so that the eyes may be
bathed frequently. This gives tempo.
rary relief and prevents, or at least de.
lays, the action of the salt water.
Distance swimming within reason
should be universally encouraged. The
moderate speed enforced obviates the
danger attendant upon fast sprinting
particularly in competition, and ability
to paddle leisurely for miles or hours
may at any moment be the means OF
saving ones life. Accidents frequent.
ly occur far from shore, and it is not
then tho Snacd swimmer who has fhe