Travelling at Speed.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 255, 27 September 1928, Page 7

Travelling at Speed.

EFFECTS ON HUMAN BEINGS. High speeds “ nearing the limit of endurance of the human body ” are being frequently reported in aviation. Automobile speed tests also give rise to similar expressions. Anything over 200 miles an hour seems sufficient to excite the phrase. And it would be just as untrue if the speed were 1000 an hour as though it were 25. Speed itself has no effect whatever at least, we have found none at 300 miles an hour. True, if parts c.f the human body are exposed to the direct wind of such speedy passage, unpleasant consequences must be expected. But this is not in contemplation for the person attaining these speeds is carefully shielded from tl.e wind. There is no doubt that the human body would not stand such speeds were they shot from a gun or from a catapult, but in any ordinary means of flight or locomotion there is no element of acceleration comparable to that. The human body does not stand acceleration well. This is well known and proven. Rapid acceleration or deacceleration drives or draws the blood away from the nerve centres, producing blindness or other malfunctions of the body. But fortunately it is almost impossible to continue the force for more than a moment and the after-affects seem to be conspicuous by their absence. The first symptoms of the effect appear in an amber tinting of the vision as though you had clapped darkness. The recovery is rapid and complete. The effects are made negligible by either of two extremely simple means, by wearing a corset-like belt such as is worn by polo players, or simpler still, by letting out a good, lusty yell.