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Abstract
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So much has been said and written about the advantages and
disadvantages of bicycling, especially for women, that it
would be well-nigh impossible to add anything new on the subject.
There are now probably very few physicians who would not recom-
mend bicycling as a safe and healthful form of exercise to a woman
without grave organic disease. It should, in our estimation, be
forbidden where grave disease of the pelvic organs and acute dis-
ease of the bladder exists, but in the minor pelvic ailments it
might safely be tried ; for the increased amount of oxygen intro-
duced into the system, the swifter circulation and the mental exhil-
aration would be powerful tonic factors and be especially service-
able in cases associated with hypochondriasis. It is hardly safe to
allow persons with organic heart disease to ride, although Tiburties,
in a recent number of the Deutsche Medicinische Wochenschrift,
of April 2d, claims that in his own case bicycling regulates the
heart's action, and he rides with impunity, although suffering from
atheroma and a moderate amount of emphysema.
That bicycling produces a sense of wellbeing, both physical
and mental, that it increases the appetite and promotes sleep, can-
not be disputed by anyone who has ever ridden. A woman especi-
ally, however, should remember that all the benefits derived from
bicycling will be nullified if it is carried to excess. The rides
should be judiciously graduated, commencing with a few miles and
very gradually increased in length, but never carried to the point
of physical exhaustion.
Hills of any size should not be attempted until they can be
ascended with comparative ease. Riding should be forbidden dur-
ing the menstrual periods. The clothing should be light and com-
fortable, the underwear preferably of wool or silk. The corset
should be discarded, as it prevents the full expansion of the lung
and impedes the circulation, and as a good substitute can easily be
found in the Ferris or equipoise waist.
There should be no constriction about the limbs, as that would
impede the circulation and lead to the formation of varicose veins.
The objections which have heretofore been raised against faulty
saddles have been removed to a great extent by the Messinger and
Christy saddles, which appear to meet all the indications...
Language: en |