Motoring and Health.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 23, 9 December 1905, Page 44

Motoring and Health.

By DR. YORKE DAVIES. r J’hat the motor Is a pwmauent institution, not only for pleasure but for business, may be taken as an established fact, and will, in time, undoubtedly, revolutionise the locomotion of the world. I have often been asked what will be the influence on health, length of life, etc., on those who have given up other modes of exercise previously indulged in in favour of motoring. As this class will increase among different sections of society from year to year, perhaps a few remarks may be of interest.

Motoring for pleasure seems to be a hobby of increasing interest, at which oue cannot wonder, since it entails no muscular effort. The progress through the air is so rapid ns not only to be exhilarating but even to be absolutely exciting. The reason for < his I presume to lie tluit the enormous amount of oxygen taken in nets as a nti mid ant

to tho nervous system and has much ths some effect on the average person ae taking champague. Indeed, one would almost imagine that it causes a state in the nervous system which if brought about under the influence of stimulant would be called intoxication. Personally, I believe that the speed of the motorist is not known to himself. What would be a eons’derpble pace in a dog part, seems but crawling in a motor-car, and hence tlie difficulties that the motorist has to face.

That motoring is a health-giving pursuit, there can be no question. Its influence on the nervous system must in every case be beneficial, but more especially for those to whom fresh air and exhilarating pastime is a sine qua non. To ordinary strong and healthy persons it is simply a pleasure, but to the neurotie, dyspeptic, anaemic, or those who suffer from insomnia, and to all who require a large amount of oxygen it is a health necessity. One may reasonably ask. “What is tha influence of motoring on those who indulge in it as a pleasure, and in the case of those who give up such exercises as walking, rowing, bicycling, riding, etc., in favour of motoring?” One may assume that since motoring is a sedentary occupation which tends to increase the appetite, the additional food taken, and the lack of bodily exertion, would naturally lead to such conditions as obesity and gout. I do not see what other evil could possibly arise as a result of motoring since there is no other ailment which motoring would not be absolutely advantageous in. It certainly tends to increase appetite by stimulating the nervous system, and by the influence of rapid transit through the air.

Of course, from time immemorial whatever occupation or pleasure the individual indulges in, if robust health and freedom from the ailments due to errors in diet and lack of exercise are to be maintained it naturally follows that as the customs of the race change, there must be differences made in diet. In fact, as I have pointed out for years, robust health is entirely a matter of exercise and food. Naturally there, are other factors such as heredity, but they are not worth taking into consideration. We are not all born of equally healthy parents, born equally strong, or with equally strong hearts and other organs, but so much depends upon the individual himself and his mode of life, that for all practical purposes the matter may be said to be in his own hands. His will properly exercised is stronger than heredity. The only real trouble that I ean see with regard to the motorist, is that he may suffer from over-stoutness or gout, and to counteract these evils he must to a certain extent alter hi.s mode of life in the matter of diet and fluid. These must be slightly adapted to the new requirements, an object perfectly easy to obtain; but I always point out that where it becomes necessary to correct, diet, it. is not a good plan for the ordinary individual to attempt to alter this for himself. He is not capable of doing so, and if he makes the attempt is almost certain to go wrong. There are physicians whom ho ean consult and who ean advise on these matters. Tha necessary alteration in diet may appear very trivial, but in that it will certainly enable him to continue his favourite pursuit with pleasure, will always amply repay the trouble taken in thia direction.

I am, indeed, a very strong advoeats of motoring.