Mr. Edge on the Physical Benefit of Rapid Driving. 14, New Burlington Street, London. W., 28th July, 1907.

Progress, 1 October 1907, Page 436

Mr. Edge on the Physical Benefit of Rapid Driving. 14 , New Burlington Street, London. W., 28th July, 1907.

To the Editor. Sir, — In view of the interest which is taken in motoring in your colony and the many discussions as to its merits and de-merits, I think one of the most interesting points which has recently been scientifically proved is that it is likely to be a check on the fatal disease which has become so prevalent during the last few years, namely—tuberculosis. Only those who have studied the increase in the mortality owing to tuberculosis in the big towns of Great Britain can realise that anything which checks its growth is of the utmost importance, and in discussing

the point recently with some of the leading medical practitioners I was greatly struck by the statistics which they were able to quote, and the apparent impossibility of combating the increase of this terrible disease. In view of this I was interested to read in the British Medical Journal, sl report on the two specimens of my blood which were taken immediately before and after T drove 24 hours on a six- cylinder Napier at the Brocklands track, of which the following is an extract • — " Before the ride a specimen of blood was taken and examined for the tuberculopsonic index, which was found to be 0.85 Another specimen taken directly after the race gave 117. That the power of resistance of the tubercle bacillus should be raised after the long journey is very noteworthy, and helps to strengthen the opinion held by many of us — that motoring is an effective treatment in some cases of tuberculosis, and that the gloomy prophecies of some, anent the bad effects of great speed on the system were incorrect. " Mr. Edge may therefore be congratulated on the success of his ride, and also on the fact that this effort of his remains as one of the finest possible object-lessons of, and pleas for, the simple life, and as such is recommended to the young man of the present day to be read and marked." — I am, etc., S. F. Edge.