The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 3, 1896, Page 28

HE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1896. AVING undertaken to write a s of articles on athletics, I ave concluded that it would be “the part of wisdom to lead off by .8 few reflections on athletic honor.” A serious question this, for it deals with the moral and the ethical side of the subject. The first thing the young athlete should decide for himself is: *What am I doing this for—for money or for pleasure? Be- cause I desire to add to my income or because I wish to develop my frame?” Now, if. the voung man feels that for reasoris of poverty or for choice he must earn all he. possibly can, I am sure no sensible person will regard him with scorn, provided he acquits himself honor- ably in Jjis career. But Iam not address- ing myseli to gymnasium instructors, boxing . teachers, e gymnasts and others who strive to earn an honest living by. their strength and skill. My audience . at present inciudes the boys, and even the | girls, who are engaged with their lessons training of our boys at home if they must | be bribed to strengthen their bodies and | develop their muscles. Those who are not familiar with thesub- | ject do not know the intense pleasure to | be derived from the consciousness of per- | | sonal strength or skill in gymnastics, of | speed in walking, running or bicycling, or the exultant thrill of excelling in competi- | { tion. Just here I cannot understand how | a man can have the assurance to display a | medal won, or rather acquired, by taking | advantage of the misfortun- of some one, or their innocence; and yet I have known | such things to be done among amateurs. | Unfortunately there is too much of this. There have been many books, pam- phlets and articles written on the subject of “Training,” so I will not weary the reader with vain repetitions, but confine myself to hirits and ideas that may prove | useful and not threadbare. First and most important, every young man who plans to enter athletic competi- tions should submit to examination by a competent physician. In doing so he will | deal justly with himself. Itis not uncom- | mon to hear people say, *‘I did not dare to | go to a physician for fear he would tell me | I must not race (or dance, according to | the gender of the patient). This 1s not just to one’s self, for Shakespeare says, “To thine own self be true.” Of what gen- uine benefit will the winning (or losing)of | | a race be if you must carry about an infir- | | mity as a life atonement for a willful wrong? Having begun exercising, a very impor- | tant problem must be solved. Rubbing down is a matter that bothers about every young at hlete that enters the arena of erally known, certainly not often utilized. In training for any violent performance a greal deal of walking should be taken. It 15 2 fact that walking is one of the very best forms of physical exercise; for it puts oxygen in large quantities into the lungs, strengthens the muscles and improves the appetite, but particularly the digestion. Understand, I am not referring to ‘‘heel and toe” walking, for that class of ath- letics I long since learned to frown upon. (Just why I will postpone for another time.) I refer simply to walking on the roads, in the fields and over the hills. At first the speed should be only three and a half miles an hour; this in time may be | increased to four miles, and at the end of | six munths the oung athlete will be able to reel off five miles an hour. This he will find wonderfully invigorating.—GEORGE D. Barep. A CHANCE FOR A NAWE We Are on the Edge of Greater Discoveries Than Roent- gen’s. What Dr. Jones Says Could Be Done Here If $10,000 Were Given for a Laboratory. Dr. Philip Mills Jones, whose experi- ments in photographing through human flesh and other objects by the X ray has attracted such unusual attention, says: ““We are right on the verge of other discov- eries, greater ecven than those that have been made.” He says that if some rich man, or two or three of them, would contribute only $5000 or $10,000 for proper anparatus the results, in his judgment, if intel- ligent experiments were made, would be o tyéfi . THE YOUNG ATHLETE'S DREAM. or in business, and whose experience is naturally limited. Our_schools. offices and shops are filled with young men who read daily of the do- ings of ‘great runners and jumpers with intense.aind ambitious interest, woadering if it would be possible for them ever to be- come so renowned. In answer to such a question I would unhesitatingly answer, yes. I'do not mean that everybody can become a great athlete, but I do say that I have seen wonderful runners, walkers and jumpers. developed from very unpromis- ing material, because the aspirants were determined to succeed, and not be thwarted by a few obstacles. . Noman should guard his honor more jealously than the amateur. He cannot afford to take any risks on the subject of his standing. I cannot stop to explain just what it is to be an amateur; if there should be sufficient inquiries concerning this subject I might take it up at another time, but this 1 can say in a few words: Consider that a medal won on a techni- cality is better refused. Prizes should be regarded only as trophies of honorably won' competitions and not as so much plunder. When a man displays a medal to afriend the latter takes it for granted that the prize was fairly earned and not by a “fluke,’” as a technicality is termed among racing.men, or, still worse, a bit of under- banded business. Many vears ago I attended a meeting of the New York Caledonian Club, and dur- ing the exercises became quite interested in one competitor in the Highland fling, though the young man was quite unconscious of the impression he had made upon me. He advanced to the spot assigned, bowed gravely to the judges, and began to dance. Xor some minutes he moved gracefully through the motions, and I became quite absorbed in his skill, when suddenly he stopped, and walked abruptly away. As- tonished, I turned to my companion and inquired, “Why did he stop?’ “Oh, he touched one of the swords,” was the re- spohise. “Did you see him do it?” I asked, for I could not see that the judges had ob- served 1t. “‘Oh, no; he knew he touched the swords. A point of honor, you see,” Teplied my friend. I have never forgotten that young man, He has been to me for yéars a tyvpe of honor 1n athletics; competing for the pleasure derived from the competition and health gained from the exercise. Understand, the amateur has a right to expect a handsome medal or cup as a prize in a successful race. But he' must regard-it as a certificate of an honorably won contest, something tangible to show for his exertions, a reward of merit—but not as so much pay. Some people argue that it is necessary . tooffer young men an inducement to ex- ercise.. 1 _doubt this, as I have been an enthusiastic athlete myself, and mingled avith thousands of the devotees of the gymnasium -and the cinder path. More- over, if what has been asserted is so there must be something radically wrong in’ the {work. Can a man become successful without being systematically rubbed down? Yes, he can; true, he may not Lhave quite the advantage of one who is groomed daily by a strong man ; but then he candoa greatdeal toward rubbing himself. For instance, after the exercise and bath let him wipe himself until the water is about disappeared ; then let him take the coarse towel, and, grasping it by the cor- ners, proceed to “‘saw himself” by polish- ing the limbs and back violently.” I knew a man who won two championsnips of America and was never systematically rubbea down. However, if possible it should be practiced. The above remarks, however, suggest anocher question, viz.: Are cold baths healthy? " That is a question of tempera- ment and habit, as they are called. Ionce knew a young man who had left a sick- bed but a few months before, where he had been confinea with typhoid fever, and at the time of which I speak was not entirely well. He could plunge into the cold bath and enjoy it while I 'stood shivering on the brink unable to muster up courage to take the plunge. Moreover, experience taught me that it would have been unwise to have attempted it. Tae facts of the case were that he was of full babit—that is. his muscles and bones were covered with a substantial layer of fat, which acted as a warm blanket. In my case, however, | there was precions little fat to protect the vitals, and the full effect of the cold shock. I am aware that some people, well mean- ing, too, insist that this shrinking can be overcome. Moreover some plucky young fellows who see their companions dive 1n the cold water with impunity resolve to do the same and suffer for it rather than be the subject of a sneer. Now, in response to these matters, I would say that a person who would insist on all healthy people taking a cold plunge is sadly deficient in the knowledge that is acquired by observation and study. Fur- | thermore, that he is exceedingly narrow in his views. He should know what is meant for one may be poison for another. We are not all constituted alike and tolerance is one of the great virtues of thisage. As for coldspcnge baths I would recommend them to all but the sickly, followed by a vigorous rubbing. Training for the cinder path should be accompanied by a vigorous use of the dumbbells on Tising in the morning. However, it is not imperative that the exercise shouid be taken at the beginning of the day, although it. is generally con- ceded that the best results are obtained at that time. The motions sifould be varied. and designed to stretch and inyigorate all the muscles of the arms, wrist, chest, stomach and back. The weight of the bells should not exceed five pounds for a rson weighing 125 pounds, but much ess for lighter people. It isa great mis- take to use heavy dumbbells for daily exercise. Pulley weights and Indian clubs | ean be substituted for dumbbells if de- Let me mentiona point that is not gen- the sensitive organs received | THE RUBBING SHIVERING UNDER THE SHOWER. wonderful. The appropriation, with its consequent phrapahernalia, might be util- ized in connection with Berkeley or some other institution or put in private hands. | The doctor said yesterday, when asked what was going on in connection with Roentgen’s discovery: “Well, there is considerable work going on in this part of the world. At Berkeley they have a pretty good plant, but unfor- tunately the professors have not a great deal of time to devote to this one question. Iam working along doing the best I can, | with limited means, and have obtained | some very good results. I could get very much better results, both useful and scien- tific, however, if I had more money to spend on it. You see it takes money to do anything. “‘But you have your own apparatus, have you not?” *‘Oh, yes; but, you see, in ali lines of re- search one is constantly in need of little things. One comes to the point, in any given line of work, where he must have something more or for lack of it stop. And by the way, do you know this would be just the chance for some of our million- aires to make a name for themselves and do a great work for science, and also make & name for San Francisco.” “I mean that if any oneof a dozen or more of our wealthy people ‘would put u say $10,000 to fit up a laboratory for this work it would be commendable in the ex- treme. Here isa question that has startled the whole world. It involves a great man; fine scientific problems that must be wnrkes out, and there is no reason why San Fran- cisco should not be at the head of the procession. ‘“What is the real nature of these rays? What is their rate of propagation? Why is it that only certain conditions seem to produce them? Why may they not be produced in other ways? What will they do? Can they not be made to show the condition of the organs as well as of the bones of the body? How do they affect chemicals, plant and animal lile? Do they have any effect on germs of disease, in or out of the body? These are only a few of the questions that are to be an- swered, and will be solved, sooner or later, and there is no reason why San Francisco should not do some of this good work. “No, there is nothing original with me in the idea of having some wealthy man furnish the money to equip a laboratory, there are several such in the country now, and very ‘many abroad. The good that they do is marvelons. “And then, think of the value such an institution would be to the City and vici- nity. With mere room, more Aprxutus and more time to devote to it I could very soon be able to examine the entire skeleton of a man and locate exncfli any foreign body and any trouble with the bones. %t would be of great value to the people and to the surgeons.” “‘Do you think the sum you mentioned ($10,000) would be enough to equip & labor- atory capable of doing such work as Tesla and Edison gre doing in New York?” “'I have not a doubt of it. With that amount of money at my disposal I could, A e DOWN PROCESS, in a very short time, have in opera- tion a plant that would be as satis- factory as any in the country, and I think I coula demonstrate some very valuable problems. You see [ am my own electrician, and most of the work of thas kind that I need I do myself, which is economical and also insures things being done the way I want them. I think my work age-ks for itselfl. No better re- sults than mine, so far as they go, have been achieved anywhere. 0 be sure more extensive apparatus is being used in several laboratories, and conse- quently more powerful rays are obtained and thicker structures penetrated and made visible, but within the range of my | EQUINE AILMENTS. Miss RussfiLL HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE. CARE .0l HORSES' FEET. In a single block, on Sansome street, a few days ago, I noticed no less than four cases of sore heels among the horses pass- ing along the pavement. Of the afflicted animals three were heayvy drafthorses, of the kind affected by San Krancisco dray- men, presumably because no other variety of animal save an elephant could drag the horse-killing monstrosities here used for transporting merchandise. In one case the “feather’ of hair on the massive fet- lock joint was cut away, and the trouble was evidently undergoing treatment. The hair on the heels of the other two was matted and foul with exudation from the wounds, so thatit was difficult to deter- mine whether they were being treated. The fourth victim was a lively little brown mare, hitched to a light delivery wagon, and driven by a boy. 1f I were of a malignant disposition I could wish my worst enemy no worse fate than to be a San Francisco horse, attached to the average delivery wagon and driven by the average delivery boy. The latter is always in a hurry, his industry, when urging his steed up our steep, cobble- paved hills, being equaled only by the calm deliberation of his movements when, having stopped his horse and left it just where it blocks the way of a cable-car, he saunters, at the gripman’s call, to remove the obstruction. ith admirable moder- ation he approaches the vehicle, medi- tatively he mounts the wheel, takes his seat cautiousiy and Jeisurely gathers up the reins, turns to smile at the exasper- ated carmen and then brings his whip suddenly and unexpectedly upon his horse’sback. The startled animal plunges and starts at a gallop, only to be pulled up with a jerk half a dozen paces further on. Apparently the boy who drives a delivery wagon has no notion of any other method of starting a horse than this, or of any other method of stopping than to throw his weight upon the reins and pull the animal back upon Ris haunches. Any idea of gentleness,” or responsibility toward the dumb creature in his control, seems entirely foreign to him and quite unworthy of consideration. Notice one of these unfortunate horses standing beside the curb, on one of our steep grades, and you will readily under- stand one cause of sore heels. The animal is usually headed up the hill, his hind legs | strained backward as he braces his weight against the collar to hold up the wagon. ISSSSUESET PN nally, say, ten drops thrice daily. Flem« ing, who is usually good authority, recom- mends carbolized sweet oil in grease— evidently under the impression thatthe mixture has some antiseptic properties, an idea long since expioded, butstill inhering ina goog many minds. Cracked heels is really a mild form of grease, but usually with less inflam i The cracks, however, in many cases, show a tendency to become chronic, and it is sometimes necessary to touch them with undiluted carbolic acid, after which zinc ointment should be well rubbec pastern and coronet. In miid ¢ ough cleansing and plentiful ay of the ointment will be found su effect a cure. 5 s A somewhat similar affection heels of horses is known as mud fever, It is due to similar causes, but the in- flammation is usually greater and often ex- tends up the leg and along the belly, There may even be considerable swelling of the legs, 'and the lameness is more marked than in the other cases. In treat- ing, the calendulated vaseline will be found most effective, or a mixture of one part of olive oil to fcar of glycerine. The fetlocks of a horse that has had mud fever should always afterward be kept long and dirt should never be allowed to remain in them. If washing becomes necessary the skin should be thornughl{ dried and the ankles bandaged in flannel. indeed, flannel bandages at night duridg wet or cold weather will be found to be almost necessary and pertinent. If there is much fever during the activity of the disease the aconite treatment may be of { value. I am well aware that all this care of the ankles sounds troublesome, and yet its neglect is a frequent cause of still more troubles. The horse is more peculiarly heir to disease than any other of the do- mesticated animals, probably because his condition, under domestication, is more radically different than is that of the others, from his environment in the natu- ral stall. But be is man’s most faithful servant and, as such, is entitled to the best care and most skillful attention that man can give him. The.particular evil which I saw among the horses on Sansome street that day is one_ of the commonest that attends them, and, it might be said, almost the only one that is, pure and simple, the result of careless or ignorant neglect. Mi1ss RuUSSELL. A Biblical Coincidence. When Jarvis C. Perry looked into the ruins of the Perry Brothers’ block at Rock- A HORSE STANDING ON [Sketched by a “Call” artist.] il f \\W&N il e OUR STEEP i GRADES, apparatus no better results have been ob- tained anywhere. That is the reason why I am confident that with enough money to furnish the necessaries, and the ‘incidentals’ that pile up and worry one, I could obtain results equal to those achieved anywhere.” “Do you think, doctor, that such a laboratory would pay?’ “It would not be money-making, if that is what you mean, but I think that it would very scon be self - support- There are a great many peo- who desire to have a view of their broken or diseased bones, or to have pins, needles or bullets located, and in a short time the majority of sur- geons would consider it a necessity to take a look at the condition of every fracture or dislocation—to see just how the bones are lacea and their condition. Proper fees could be charged for doing this work in such cases as could afford to pay, and in that way the laboratory would soon be self-supporting. No, there is no reason why ifornia should not be at the bead of the procession. We have a man here in the City—Mr. Lamont—who makes as good vacaum tubes as these made anywhere in the world. I have personally used a great many tubes manufactured in this country and abroad, and there is not one of them that will compare with a tube made for me by Mr. Lamont, after my own design. So you see the work would all be home product, by home talent. There certainly can be no better way of svending money than in doing something that is of interest to every one, and of great value to humanity and to science. Probably no money that Colonel Crocker has ever nt will bting him in so much gratifica- tion as his donation of sufficient funds to send the astronomers to Japan to observe the coming solar eclipse. And hereisa chance for spending a little money and obtaining results that would be of very much greater value to the com- munity. Forone person who will profit by the observation of the eclipse, a thou- sand would be benefited Ly the presence of such a laboratory as I speak of here in San Francisco."” “Well, doctor, it is to be hoped that some one will aid you with funds to do o T bey xped! “Oh, I'm notouton a begging e: i- tion! Iam doing what work I can and making all the research I can within my means. The work is extremely interest- ing and I only wish I could do more of it. Perhaps THE CaLL will awaken some one to a realization of the opportunity he is missing.” . A Woodchuck’s Big Leas One day last week Fred Acomb and an- other man nappened to be crossing the railroad bridge at Stony Brook Glen at the same time in opposite directions, and as each stepped upon the end of the bridge a woodchuck was seen in the middle of the bridge, It was badly frightened, and after running back and forth a few times itgave a leap and went down, down to the bank below at the water's edge, a distance of at least 180 feet. In an instant it sprang up, and with only a slightly labored attempt it crawled up the bank into the woods and out of sight. In his best days Sam Patch couldn’t have made such a successful leap. - Express. $ In this position the tendons are stretched, the ankles rendered tender and weak; even the skin is sometimes stretched and made oversensitive. Careless cleaning some- times at the hands of the careless driver and or hurried and careless grooms adds to the evil. The ankles are left in a fever- ish condition, the oily matter that lubri- cates the heel becomes scanty, the heels get dry and sensitive; finally the skin cracks, and we have an advanced case of “‘grease,” or ‘‘cracked heels,” a very com- mon ill among San Francisco horses, par- ticularly in wet weatlier, and one which is really never the result of anything besides carelessness and neglect. A horse, to be kept healthy, should al- ways be kept clean, but nowhere should more scrupulous nicety be observed than in the care of his feet and ankles. Yet the latter, in particular, are Yoints more fre- quenfiy neglected than almost any other. hen, as in the case of most of our heavy drafthorses, the animals have thick, long_fetlocks extending well up the leg, it is of imperative importance that this hair should be kept scrupulously clean. For this purpose it should be re- ligiously brushed at least once a day, but unless it is afterward thoroughly dried it should never be wet. Tais is a truth known presumably to every groom, yet in many a livery stable I have seen these horses broughtin on a muddy day, their feet and ankles washed off with a hose- swream and the animals then sent with dripping fetlocks to their stalls. There, well littered down, they are left until morning. Their ankles get very warm iu the thick bedding, and the process of steaming is inevitable and effectual. Under such treatment there is small wonder that the pasterns become sore and the horse goes lame. It is not a difficult matter-to ary a horse’s feet. A little rubbing after wetting with clean, dry straw, and afterward with a bit of sacking is enough, although, 1if the fetlocks are kept trimmed, ag is usually the case with light driving animals, band- aging for a short time is almost necessary. _The practice of clipping the fetiocks pre- disposes to cracked heels, as the pasterns are then more exposed to wet and the ac- cumulation of dirt, but a long fetlock is an_ ungainly lookipg decoration for the ankles of a carriage-horse. When the ankles are dry they can easily be cleaned with a brush, and in muddy weather it is always best to let the fetlocks dry and then brush them, but under no circum- stances should the brushing be neglected. It is also well in wet weather to keep the pasterns anointed with vaseline or zinc ointment. Dirty stalls and foul litter are prolific sources of grease which, it is well to note, are far more apt to occur in the hind than in the fore feet. Oneof the first indica- tions of the trouble is a slight scurviness of the skin. It scales off and shows on the hair like dandruff. This appearance always gxlls for an investigation of the heels. The best trestment is to clip the hair, apoly hot fomentations and bathe with calendula lotion or, better yet, apply calendulated vaseline, which any druggist will prepare for you. I have found no remedy, not even zinc ointment, so effect- iveas calendula in cases of dry cracking and of suppurative wounds in horses, In the latter the lotion should be used. If re is & good deal of inflammation it is well to give the tincture of aconite inter- | land after the late fire he saw what seemed to be the blackened and crum- bling remains of a large book. He inves- tigated further and found it had been an old family Bible. belonging to his grand- father and grandmother. Hoping to save atleast the family record, he carefully picked it up, but that had gone with the rest. Only one page had escaped destruc- tion, and pulling that out to save as a relic he was surprised on glancing at it to see these words: *“This shall be thineof the most holy things, reserved from the fire.”’—Lewiston Journal. e Each British soldier costs his country $200 every year. NEW TO-DAY. 9 Prof. W. H. Peeke, who l Smakes a specialty of cured by him. He publishesa valuable work on this dis- ease, which he sends with a Epilepsy, has without doubt treated and cur- ed more cases than any living Physician; his success is astonishing. 2 large bot- tle of his absolute cure, free to any ithrece Wwho may send their P. O. and Bxpress address. We adv‘u;ndfll,e wishinge:‘crure to address H. F.D.,4 St., New York THE ‘We have heard of cases From U.S.Journal of Medicine of 20 years' standing TRIED AND TRUE PIERCE MODEL 10. Honor-Bright Value Stylish and Reliable B75 A HOLBROOK, MERRILL & STETSON, SACRAMENTO SAN FRANCISCO, 223 J Stréets Market & Beale.