Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-22
AsyE 10 FfreIff,e.

Among people who have fixed habits as to
how they eat, drink and sleep. but very few
ever give the slightest attention to how they
breathe and yet respiration is one of the great
function OF all physical life. The habit should
be formed Of expanding the lungs slowly to
their utmost capacity many times daily in the
fresh air. Digestion is effected by respiration
and circulation. Should the latter be deficient
the proper amount of blood is not sent to the
stomach during digestton and should the for
mer be imperfect, the. blood viii lack strength
ening power. as good blood is obtained from
pure and Well-asSimilated food, we'll oxygenated
by breathing plenty of pure air; thus from good
blood. circulation and respiration we have built
up structures OF healthy muscle, nerve and
brain, Let US not forget to take into consider
alton the quality of the brain the quantity may
be great and sufficient. but where it lacks firm
ness in texture there will be no remarkable
traits. Muscle, tC be the best, should be firm
and tough; this would bring us to conclude that
the greatest minds are found where there Is a
bulky. compact brain. connected with firm.
deDsely-knit. well-cOlstructed body Yet ami
mai power is not mind, but is that something
which is required by the mind in this world to
manifest Itself through. A diseased state of the
body affects the memory. weakens the system
generally; and those channels through which
we were wont to receive the pleasurabIe emo
fed millions ofneryes which spring to execute
their perverted functions. wreakng on us the
most terrible phrsica, and mental torture
There is one rule to be observed in taking ey-
erciSe in walking-the very best form in which
it can be taken by the young and abie-bodicd Of
all ages-and that is, never to allow the action
OF respiration to be carried on through the
mouth. The nasal passages are clearly the me-
dunn through which respiration was designed
by our Creator to be carried on. God breathed
uCctPilc m n of f,f,
to his becoming a living creature. The differ
ence in the exhaustion of strength by long
walk with the mouth firmly closed, and resnir,-
ton carried on through the nostrils instead of
through the month, is inconcevable to those
who have never tried the experiment And. in
deed, this mischevQus and really unnatural
habit Of carrying on the work of inspiration and
expiration through .hc mouth instead of through
the nasal passage is the true origin OF almost
all the diseases OF the throat and lungs. az
bronchitis congestion, asthma, and even con-
sumption itself
The excessive perspiration to which some
individuals are 50 liable in their sleep, which ia
so weakening to the body. is solely the effect of
such persons sleeping with their mouths un-
closed. And the same unpleasant and eX-
haustive results arise to the animal system
from walking with the mouth open, instead of.
when not engaged In conversation, preserving
the lips in a state of firm but quiet compress
sion. AS the heat and velocity of the blood
tiuou2h Tue iul1s ucpeHu aiinOst eutlrelV upon
the quantity of the atmospheric air inhaled
with each inspiration, and 1t is unavoidable
that IL should be taken in volume by the mouth.
while it can only be supplied in moderate quaint
tiles and Just in sufficient proportions to serve
the purpose Of q healthy respiratory action
while supplied through the nostrils. it is clear
that the body must be much lighter and cooler.
and also the breathing much freer aud easier
when the latter course, rather than the former
one is adopted Children should never be al
lowed to stand or walk with their mouths open:
for. besides the vacant appearance it gives to
the eOuntenance. it is the certain precursor Of
coughs, colds and sore threats.