In 1896, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a cautionary article by Dr. William
C. Krauss of Buffalo, New York, that reported the curious
case of a 37-year-old man with "acute dilation of the
heart." It seems the patient, James H. C., regularly cycled
the half mile to and from his job on the railroad, but on
one occasion, he took a four-mile, 25-minute ride with
his friends that left him severely distressed. At the end of
it, his heart was pounding, he had a severe pain on the
left side of his chest, and he was completely out of breath.
James heeded his friends' advice and rode home
immediately, covering the distance a bit more slowly. But
his symptoms worsened overnight, and his heart was still
racing at 130 beats per minute when Krauss saw him two
months later. The doctor's diagnosis was short and to the
point: "over-bicycling."
-Wheels of Change
Sue Macy
Which details support the viewpoint that bicycling is
unhealthy? Check all that apply.
"He took a four-mile, 25-minute ride with his
friends that left him severely distressed."
"(He) regularly cycled the half mile to and from his
job."
"He had a severe pain on the left side of his
chest."
James heeded his friends' advice."
"The doctor's diagnosis was short and to the point
over-bicycling."