The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-21
MOTORING BETTER
THAN MEDICINE
Autoing Is Helpful in Making
Nervous People Forget
Troubles.
BY IL. A. TARANTOUs,
Member s. A. L.

We are told by the scientific medical
men OF the nation that this country
will in another score of years become
noted for the health standard of its
entira population due mainly TO the use
of the motor car An automobile has
many functions. one of which is to inn
prove the health of the riders. This II
does without question to such n degree
that In some cases the results almost
are uncanny. One of the well known
nerve specialists relates many cures.
due entirely 10 the fact that the patient
went motoring for health. The funda-
mental principle behind motoring for
health is that 1t diverts the mind and
also gives a constant change of air.
Forget it," the nervous man is told,
but he cannot forget so easily unless
there is a more potent force tending to
divert his mind from his bodily allmen..
We are also told that the mental condi-
ton of a patient If properly taken care
OF will in turn produce desirable effects
on the body. Nothing is more infuen-
tial in diverting the mind away from
oneself than motoring.
The automobile manufacturers predict
that 40 per cent. of the cars will in
future be sold for health purposes, the
other 60 per cent for business reasons.
We are inclined to think that the nation
can save money in the end by encour-
aging an investment in automobiles
rather than spending the same or more
money in medicine. operations, &c,
which in the end will not produce the
most desirable results. We are not in
position, of course, TO tell the forms of
diseases or ailments that should be
treated by motoring. but most doctors
will agree that riding and even driving
an automobile will do much toward
l-f-- antr n
health.
It may be pretty hard for nervous
patient to believe that he can drive a
car, but 1t has been demonstrated time
and again that the very act of driving
30 changes the mental state as to re-
move the nervousness. The patient
must however, drive cautiously. and he
must confine his driving 10 the country
rather than the city. The driver Will
find that his heart beats, his respiration
and his whole system will react to the
tune of the car. If the car is driven
slowly tenseness of the muscles is re-
moved; as the speed increases there is
an involuntary acceleration OF the heart
and the lungs. This is not always so,
but 1t is. generally speaking, a char
acteristic of n nervous person at the
wheel.
Certain nervous conditions are func-
tional, others are organic, and both OF
them can be treated by motoring. In q
recent case a woman was taking treat
ment by a great specialist for over
secretion of the thyroid glands. The
oversecretion made her extremely
nervous and affected almost every
organ of the body. Motoring was rec
commended as a means of assisting the
scientist in curing the woman. and in
about one year she not only became
well and required no further treatment.
but she became an expert driver In the
bargain. This, like many cases may
turn out more satisfactory If the doctor
Is permitted to watch and treat mis-
patient while the motoring is being used
as a means of mind diversion.
There is one thing about motoring for
health that must be understood. and
that is that IL must be practised tudici-
ciously One cannot expect TO ride 800
continuous miles in hard-riding car
and get out thoroughly relieved Of all
his troubles. If the car is bard riding
drive slowly over good roads. Speed IL
not essential. To make the bess Of
motoring, one must drive along the
good roads and study the surrounding
landscape. the buildings, If there are
any. perhaps the car you are riding
In. other cars on the road, &c Merely
sitting at the wheel and making an
occasional turn on lonely road may
make the driver lonely. hence suscep-
tible OF thinking of himself.
Automobile mechanism is easy to
learn and understand get into discus
slons while in the cer about the ol'era-
ton Of the car. about ways and means
OF promoting safety, about all matters
pertaining to motoring. Continuous
driving is bad. Drive 20 miles or so and
then get out Of the car and walk around
for 10 or Is minutes.