Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-05-13
LINCOLN TELEGRAPH
BATH, (DIe.)
Thursday Morning, May ID, 1871.
ATMOSPHERIC AIR.


To describe the common properties and uses of
u fluid which is so commonly known, that neither
man nor animals can exist without it, may seem
unnecessary. Nevertheless, its vital importance
is apparently so little realized and appreciated by
the great mass of mank kind, that its value should
i'll some measure be better understood, at least
BY those who esteem health and longevity a de-
srable object.
Common air, or atmospheric air, is an invisible,
transparent, inodorous, insipid, ponderahle, COM
pressble, and elastic fluid. 1t is called atmos-
phere from two Greek words signfyng, "rapoau"
and a sphere or, as it were, "sphere Of "a
pourS.' 1t is spherical mass of air, surrounding
the earth in every part; the height of which is
estimated at forty five to forty eight miles Il
presses on the surface of the Garth and this pres
sure has, necessarily, sensible effects on organ
lied bodies. The surface of the human body be-
ing reckoned at fifteen square feet, it is compu-
ted that a pressure of $4,000 pounds or more, ex-
lists und er ordinary circumstances; and this
pressure cannot be increased diminished ma
terally, without modifying the circulation and all
its functions.
Atmospheric air is essentially composed oftwo
gases, oxygen and nitrogen, in the proportion of
oneffth ofthe former to four ffths of the latter
Oxygen is the vital portion, but the nitrogen is
necessary to dilute it. Air contains small por-
ton Zone per cent? of carbonic acid gas, and has
in it different terrestrial carnations, &c. ; hence,
a change of air, proper ventilation, and appropr-
ate exercise " under the broad canopy of Heaven
is extremely serviceable in the prolongaton of
life, and the prevention and cure of certain NOR
bid conditions.
Among the many fruitful causes of disease,
perhaps none are more marked than the respira-
ton of impure ar-lvng in damp locations
sleeping and sitting in i'll ventilated apartme hts,
and exposure to alterations of temperature and
moisture To satisfy one $ self in this respect,
far as respiration is concerned, let us examine
cursorily for u moment INTO the rationale by
which the vital primo pie is kept active in the hu-
man body, and through its influence the different
manifestations in the animal economy take place.
No one we suppose, doubts at all, that breathing
is necessary to support the lives ofall animals. If
however, any question this, a very simple esper-
iinent will set al rest such fool-hardy scepticism
1t is but to suspend voluntarily respiration as
long as one can cleverly DO so, and the impracti-
cabllity of further continuance will obviously
manifest itself. BE this as 1T may, it is not our
advice to people in any case whatever to practice
"hodng their breath" albeit in some cases we
might be disposed to recommend similar act in
relation TO an unru,y member we have occasion
ally noticed to be wagging somewhat scanda-
lousy.
We have already mentioned the definite pro-
portions which compose the atmospheric mixture,
and that oxygen is its vital portion. What be-
comes ofthe latter in respiration, and it's infu-
ence upon the vital princi pie, or life itself, will
now be pointed out
The act Of breathing, which consists in the al
ternate drawing into, and throwing out of the
lungs, certain quantity of atmospheric air, is
called respiration, 1t is function proper to an
lmas, the object Of which is, to ploce the materi-
as q the 6lood-comprising certain eff etc mix
ture-tn contact aoih atmospheric air. that it may
acquire the vivifyng qualities necessary to the
support OF life, and full development of the be-
ing In man, the respiration consists of Mechan-
Inspiration, Expiration, and a Pause. The evil
dent Chymlcal phenomena consist in the forma-
t'on Of certain quantity of carJonc acid gas, in
the absorption Of the Oxygen of the air, and in the
disagreement ola quantity Of rater in The state Of
vapOur.
In the healthy condition, the respiration is ca
sy, gentle, regular, and without noise In man,
the resplrations are, generally, about thirty five
per minute in the first year of life twenty-five
during the second; twenty at puberty AID
eighteen in the adult age. The immediate effect
of respiration, is to produce a change of color in
the blood-rendering yenous into arterial blood,
as it passes through the lungs-thus indicating
that it suffers change in its properties at the same
time This change in the properties of the blood
is termed oxygenation by chemists and physolo-
gists-but by what means the absorption of oxv-
gen gives rise to the evolution of carbonic acid.
"a virulent poison), is question which like ma.