WALKING IN A CIRCLE

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 234, 29 June 1922, Page 4

WALKING IN A CIRCLE

Were you ever lost in the bush? If so, you -probably experienced the usual annoying result of finding yourself walking in a circle in epite of all your efforts to follow a straight line. Physiologists have studied this curious phenomenon and come to the conclusion that it is due to the fact of the difference which always exists between the tnvo lateral halves 1 of the body, and which causes one of th°m to show a constant though unconscious tendency to exert a pressure upon tho. other. Some recent experiments in Vienna, which are described in tho “Scientific American., have thrown further light noon this difference between the tw.o sides of the body and its effects. It was found that, in spite of all orders to the contrary, persons walking on foot showed _ a constant tendency to turn to the riorht, so that a definite effort of tho will was •-"ouired in'orter to turn to the left. The fameiis German Pro-f.-ssor Abderhalden. became interested in this onestion and investigated it further in Hie Phvs’oloeical Institute at Hallo. Tn this biiildinv there are two similar stairways ono running to tho ’left and the other to the rijht. and both plaeej-l at rirtt-annlos to a short fVtrht of steps at the entrant". Obsorva'lono showed that by far th" creator number of students in the huildinv rs(rnlarly took the Tight-hand rtairc.™ when 'they camo to ejnoso. Indulry nroved. however, th.nl Rft-Wtod US© DT the left. rtn’’-COAO. The sumo result-. WP r„ oK’'Wved in l’*- enyo rt fr A”' ernl public. »s well as in that of the students. When the stairs ■ were desponded, however, there was practicnl--1.. nn cnnnl n=e of tho two sets of steps This is doubtless due to tho fact 'that much more effort is required to ascend a btairway than to descend it.