Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-08-13
tCopyrght. 1915. by American Press AssoclationJ

lean Press Association
As pointed out in previous articles,
the only way to master a correct
| stroke is to start on short stretches,
/ taken a: slow pace under the guidance
of competent instructor, II possible,
and to then lengthen the distance
gradually, avoiding speed wor alto
gether.
/, One of the usual mistakes incurred
by distance swimmers is to work too
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.,
effects of cold and prolonged INNER
sions and the latter for self-eyident
reasons.
1t is well, in training, to swim no
farther than one mile, as rule. One
may then accustom the muscles to
the wanted action without danger of
drawing too heavily on ones resources
and when it comes to attempting
particularly hard feat the stored fund
of energy 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 week or less of race
or important test.
The question of eating and drinking
during swim of several hours Is one
upon which watermen seldom agree,
but medical authorities claim that IL is
best to take very little, for the diges-
tive organs are not 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
chiils or cramps.
Practical experiments substantlate
| 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 prob
lem of what to do Is best left for IN
dividual solution.
The use of alcoholic beverages and
other stimulants, however, can be con.
demned without hesitation. Doubtless
they give temporary and illusive
feeling of increased strength, but
heavy reaction soon follows and the
artificial stimulation is dangerous, for
during the period of comparative ex-
hilaration the heart is working at all.
normally high pressure and the strain
upon it is terrific.
1t has long been recognized that
the great enemy of the distance swim
mer is cold and the habit has spread OF
fighting it by coating the entire body
with oils and greases of various kinds
But of late doubt has been expressed
concerning the wisdom of the practise
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. Ii,
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
1t does, to accomplish the task alone.
Probably the best plan to follow is
the one advocated recently namely,
to treat with grease only those por-
tons of the body where large arteries
are near the surface and leave the
others free to aid in the eliminatory
process.
One of the distressing features of
distance swimming in the sea Is the
action of the brine on the eyes which
occasions what is known as salt wa
ter blindness. At times complete loss
of sight is experienced for awhile.
When Charles Durborow made his rec
ord-breaking swim across Delaware
bay his vision became blurred after
about four hours and later a black
curtain closed around him so that dur
ing the last part of the 14-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.
Goggles have been devised to over
come the trouble. They are shaped
carefully to the nose and optical cayi-
ties and surrounded by 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 leak
age. .ss.......,
An excellent idea is to provide ones
handlers with soothing wash-borac-
ic. acid and rosewater are the usual
ingredients-so that the eyes may be
bathed frequently. This gives tempo
rary relief and prevents or at least
delays 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 frequently
occur far from shore and it is not then
the speed swimmer who has the best
chance of being rescued, but his fellow
waterman who has practised over
long courses and can stay afloat I'M
diem oyod ou-o itin0 oScictouao