School athletics and boys' races / by William Collier ; issued by the Medical Officers of Schools Association.

  • William Francis Collier
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: School athletics and boys' races / by William Collier ; issued by the Medical Officers of Schools Association. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In the case of the rowing man it is clear that the real strain is due to the fact that the racing is carried over six nights, with only the Sunday interval of rest. At Oxford in both the Easter and May races a considerable number of men find themselves in a boat a few~ days before the races com¬ mence, and quite insufficiently trained. But probably the most serious cause of danger is that the men are under no sort of medical supervision. Many of them suffer from some slight indisposition just before, or even while they are in training; they perhaps have a mild attack of influenza ; they go to a chemist and get a bottle of medicine, and in a few days are in full work again. One has learnt by experience that a slight attack of influenza may have a most baneful effect on the heart muscle, and I am sure that some of the cases of heart strain we see are directly due to this cause, rowing or running too soon after an attack of influenza or other illness. The schoolboy, on the other hand, is to a very large extent- under much stricter medical supervision, and is prevented from exposing himself to this risk. Smoking, too, especially the smoking of a large number of cigarettes just before the commencement of training, is another factor, for I am sure that tobacco in excess has a bad influence on the heart muscle. The schoolboy escapes this risk. I may say at once I greatly regret that- the letter which initiated this discussion was ever written. I regret it because it is likely to weaken the confidence parents should have in the medical officers of our public schools. I regret it because I cannot help feeling that our old leaders, the leaders whom we hold in so much respect, have altogether led us astray in this matter. I think it would be extremely difficult for them to prove that there is any sufficient reason to make any change in the length of races at our public schools. But in any case, it seems to me they have landed themselves on the horns of an awTkward dilemma. Let us suppose they can come forward and prove from their case books that the long¬ distance races at our public schools are a real source of danger^ then one asks, 4; Why did they wait for a prominent football player to get this information out of them ? ’5 Sir Lauder Brunton but a year and a half ago was president of the International Congress on School Hygiene. What an opportunity he had in his presidential address of calling attention to the danger ! At that congress almost every conceivable subject connected with the health of the schoolboy was discussed, with the exception of school
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