BELTS FOR THE SEASICK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 49, 19 August 1911, Page 7

BELTS FOR THE SEASICK.

A NEW METHOD. The popular demand for a cure for seasickness is discussed by Dr. Ageka in the pages of the Paris Siecle. The French doctor is of opinion that the medical profession deserves censure for having paid bit little attention to a malady that distresses hundreds of thousands of people every year. Seasickness, he says, should be studied seriously. The steamship companies and the tourist agencies should take an interest in the matter because their receipts would be increased enormously if people could go to sea as light-heartedly as they enter a railway train. Ships' doctors should be instructed to collect information and record their observations for purposes of comparison. Dr. Ageka is convinced that seasickness'is caused wholly bv the movement of "loose internal organ's" in response to the rolling and pitching of the ship. "Tho stomach, liver and intestines are all free to move," he says, "and they react to the unaccustomed* motion by transmitting, through: the intermediary of the sensory nerves, their sufferings to the brain or nervous centres whence in turn emanate defensive but ill-co-ordinated reactions." The way to avoid all these troubles is to wear a belt or bandage so arranged that internal movements will be impossible. Persons who do not suffer at sea are protected by the rigidity of their bodily structure but less fortunate mortals can secure ; marvellous results" by the simple wearing of a "specially-adapted belt." The doctor does not describe This appliance and it seems that he has not settled the question of design to his own satisfaction. He does not think that the "triple bond of brass" recommended bv Horace is necessary, nor does he atta'ch much faith to the ordinary narrow belt Perhaps he will be able to be more explicit when he has studied the subject in greater detail.