A disease that scared women in the 19th century In the late 19th century, women faced an extraordinary medical threat. She was written about in newspapers and medical publications, and doctors seriously discussed her symptoms. It's called "bicycle face". According to some doctors of the time, cycling could permanently ruin a woman's appearance. Suggested signs included bulging eyes, clenched jaws, pallor, a gaunt appearance and deep wrinkles. It was believed that constant stress during the trip would leave an indelible mark on the face. The bicycle was accused of causing nervous disorders, harming reproductive health, and even arousing "diverse" passions. Women were strongly advised to stay away from this dangerous device. What was society really afraid of? The bicycle gave women something that was not available to everyone before - independence. Now you can go on a trip without an escort, explore the surroundings and move around at your discretion. Changes also affected clothing. Women began to adopt comfortable outfits, including hats and harem pants. For a conservative society, this seemed like a real challenge: a woman was given more freedom and was less dependent on the usual rules of propriety. At the beginning of the 20th century, when bicycles became commonplace, the "medical term" fell out of use.

A disease that scared women in the 19th century In the late 19th century, women faced an extraordinary medical threat. She was written about in newspapers and medical publications, and doctors seriously discussed her symptoms. It's called "bicycle face". According to some doctors of the time, cycling could permanently ruin a woman's appearance. Suggested signs included bulging eyes, clenched jaws, pallor, a gaunt appearance and deep wrinkles. It was believed that constant stress during the trip would leave an indelible mark on the face. The bicycle was accused of causing nervous disorders, harming reproductive health, and even arousing "diverse" passions. Women were strongly advised to stay away from this dangerous device. What was society really afraid of? The bicycle gave women something that was not available to everyone before - independence. Now you can go on a trip without an escort, explore the surroundings and move around at your discretion. Changes also affected clothing. Women began to adopt comfortable outfits, including hats and harem pants. For a conservative society, this seemed like a real challenge: a woman was given more freedom and was less dependent on the usual rules of propriety. At the beginning of the 20th century, when bicycles became commonplace, the "medical term" fell out of use.