Abstract
WITH reference to the letters by Messrs. Darwin and Hawksley in the current number of NATURE (p. 286), I may say that I am very strongly “left-legged” (also strongly right-handed), but so far as I am aware there is not the slightest difference in the lengths of the two limbs. I became aware of the peculiarity when a child, by noticing that on a slide the other boys used to go right foot first, and I left foot. Subsequent attempts to break myself of the habit only resulted in my coming ignominiously to grief, and if I tried now to leap a ditch right foot first I would tumble headlong into it instead of clearing it. The next time I find occasion to kick 1 will try to remember which foot was used. It is right to state, however, that in my case I think there has probably existed from infancy a very slight natural weakness of the right ankle. Attempts with me to walk a straight line with the eyes shut seem invariably to result in my swerving to the left, which appears to be contrary to Mr. Darwin's experience.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
MCLACHLAN, R. Unconscious Bias in Walking. Nature 29, 311 (1884). https://doi.org/10.1038/029311a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/029311a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.