American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-05-17
CARE OF The HEAtfH.


BREATH GYMHAsrICs.-The art of
breathing is, in the hpinion of Ctant-
bers's Journal, too much overlooked.
Though an act of nature, it can be in
fuenced by the will. Persons, there
fore, may be trained to breathe proper
ly, that is, to such breathing as will
thoroughly o.ygenate the blood. 1t has
been suggested that there is room for
what might be fifty termed breath e. M
nastics-to draw i'll long and full
breaths, filling the lttngs fill at every
inspiration, and to acquire tie habit 6f
full breathing at all times. This habit
of full breathing has direct effect in
supplying the largest possible amount
of oxygen to the blood, and m IRE thor
oughly consuming the carbon, and so
producing animal heat. It has also the
very important effect of expanding the
chest, and so contributing to the vgor
of the system. The breath should be
inhaled by the nostrils as we'll as by the
mouth, more especially while out OF
doors, and in cold weather. This has
partly the effect of a respirator in so far
as warming the air in its passage to the
delicate air cells, and in also rendering
one less liable to catch cold. This full
respiration is of so much importance
that no proper substitute is to be found
for it in shorter though more rapid
breathing. In short breathing large
portion of the air cells remains nearly
stationary, the Upper portion of the
lungs only being engaged in receiving
and discharging small portion of air.
Profound thought, intense grief and 9TH
er similar mental manifest atoms have a
depressing effect on respiration. The
blood unduly accumulates in the
brain, and the circulation in both
heart and lungs becomes diminished,
unless, indeed, there be feverishness
present. An occasional long breath, or
deep-drawn sigh, is the natural relief in
such a case, nature making an effort to
provide a remedy. This hint should be
acted on and followed up. Brisk muscu-
lar exercise in the open air, even during
dote of a physical kind for "rooted
SORROW" And the earnest student, in
stead of tying himself to his desk, might
initiate friend of the writer of this,
who wrote and studied while on his
legs. Pacing his room, portfolio in
hand with paper attached, he stopped
as occasion required, to pen a sentence
or paragraph. Breathing is the first
and last act of man, and is of the most
vital necessity all through life. Persons
with full, broad, deep chests naturally
breathe freely and slowly, and large
nostrils generally accompany large
chests. Such persons rarely take cold,
and when they do they throw it off
easily. The opposite build of chest is
more predisposed to lung disease. The
pallid complexion and conspicuous blue
veins show that oxygen is wanted, and
that every means should be used to OBJ
tain it. Deep breathing also promotes
by increasing the circula-
ton and the animal warmth. Waste is
more rapidly repaired, and the skin is
put in requisition to remove the used
Many forms of disease may
be thus prevented, and more vigorous
health enjoyed.
TAINTED HoMEs.-Says a correspond
ent of the Country Gentleman: feel
impelled to say few words on the
daily airing of dwelling houses. have
often perceived a foul odor, more or
less strong, on entering homes that
would otherwise be clean, cheerful and
pleasant; and this too, when the mis-
tress is an intelligent woman, knowing
the nature of the constant emanations
from the lungs snd skin. The difficulty
in such cases, is that the lady is not
aware of any foul odor in her own home.
is this true in the winter,
where plants are kept in the rooms, and
where servants are intrusted with the
airing of them. If an intelligent woman
does not see that the work is thorough,
it can not be expected that her hired
girl will, especially if she be cautioned
against leaving the windows open long
enough to freeze the plants. In the sum-
mer, rooms are kept dark and close to
keep out the flies. A room can not be
thoroughly aired by leaving open door,
or one or two windows for a few
minutes, any more than a soil
ed garment can be cleansed by
pouring water through it in the
or two places. Every part of the soiled
garment must come into close contact
with the clean water, and every part of
the foul atmosphere must have fresh,
clean air poured through it. Any one
who doubts the truth of this assertion
may test it by boiling a cabbage, and af-
ter dinner opening one or two windows
in the dining or sitting room, closing
Them after 10 or 20 minutes, and then
all the corners of the ROOM
One or more of them will be redolent
Of cabbage. Some may object to a
daily supply of fresh air, on account of
The danger of taking cold. This may
be avoided by having the sitting room or
lining room aired so early in the morn
ng as to leave time to get it well warm
I'd before being occupied. OF course
thorough ventilation in cold weather in
7olves an increased consumption of
uel. The most effectual method of
saving fuel would be to use sheet-iron
stoves and calked doors and windows,
out such a saving would probably result
=, q ~ iporoo God avpopdituro for dooto,.e,