Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-09
STARVING THE LUNGS.
Matron's Common-sense Talk for Flat
Chested Young Women.

and increase her strength, without the
eXpediture of i nickel, or the loss OF
ten minutes time day, if she will do a
say"
This was the declaration made just
one month ago yesterday by a rosy, well
rounded matron before party OF wom-
en- friends. who had been discussing ills
and aches for an hour or more in her
uptown fiat. Two of them were married
women, and they both looked worn and
dragged. One was childlesS. the other
the mother Of four children. The rest OF
the party consisted OF one twenty
year-Old girl, pale, narrOw-chested and
weak; another girl about the same age,
whose labored breathing was partly ac-
counted for when we looked at the
wasp waist and the rigid casing plainly
visible under the dress. Then there
was third, possibly half dozen years
older than her companions, OF better
physique than they, but dull-eyed and
languid. The hostess was in direct and
striking contrast with all five. Her
eyes Sparkled, her cheeks glowed, her
step was firm, and there was a subtle
magnetism in her healthiness that at
tracted you while it made you envous.
When Nellie's headaches, and Emma's
tired back, and Gertrude's weak lungs
had been fully discussed, pitied and
sighed over; and when the childless
wife had explained about her own all
ments and those of her pug dog, and
the mother Of four boys told of her daily
routine indoors, the symposium had
nearly reached the verge of fearful
sympathy. 1t was then that the one
healthy-minded, healthy-bodied woman
spoke. 1t was rather rude shock to
have ones ailments so suddenly set at
naught, but the very novelty OF the
thing made them listen.
1.-The trouble with you girls" she
said, and she included the two wives in
this category, ''ls that you are starry
ing"
There wa. murmur of surprise at
this, and the young women looked AT
each other. Il don't mean you are
starving your stomachs," continued the
matron, but you are starving your
lungs. You don't drink in enough air,
and what you do take in you take in
improperly. Now what ! want you all
TO do is to try TO initiate my manner Of
breathing FOR one month and take this
lung exer Use not less than four times a
day for the first week, and dozen
times day thereafter. Now, all stand
up-hands at your sideS-let them hang
naturally-chins up and mouths shut.
See how do it,"
The teacher threw her shoulders
back, and slowly took deep inhala-
ton through her nostrils. The well
rounded bust filled out and the veins
on the neck swelled. A tape-measure
taken in hand by the speaker, before
she began to talk, was placed under her
arms and arouad the chest. II showed
Il measurement of $3.50 inches. Then
the air was slowly expelled from the
lungs, aud the tape was drawn taut at
IS inches, showing an expansion OF ?.
inches.
1T is important" said the instructor,
as she threw the tape aside, that this
exercise DO taken in the open air, and
TO gain the benefits | have mentioned
YOU must observe these rules:
"First-Wear no corsets at all, or, II
you must wear them, have them looser
than yon ever wore them before.
"Second-Breathe though the nose
and keep your mouth shut. This is OF
vital Importance.
"Third-Take breath with every
step as you walk, and continue this
until the lungs are full. Then eXhale
the air more rapidly than you took 1t in
L - . a nj at a.
is as important as breathing through
the nostrils, because it emptieS the
lower lobes of the lungs that are rarely
called into action except during violent
exercise. Their capacity is increased
and strengthened by use. Follow out
these rules for Il month and report re-
suits"
The instructions were faithfully car
red out by four OF the party. One OF
the girls became i'll and was unable to
make the test. OF the four who car
ried it out, the most noticeable improv-
ment was that Of the young woman with
the weak lungs. She had gained three
pounds in weight, her appetite was
good, her eyes brighter and the muddy
complexion showed signs of clearing.
1T was really task at first" she
said
IL dou't think | ever took deep
breath before in my life. | loosened my
corSetS as directed, aud the first deep
inhalation gave me pain in the upper
part of my right lung. 1t seemed, too,
that all the blood rushed TO my head
while | held the air in my lungs. and
when exhaled it all my head began to
ache. This continued for three days,
every time tried it, but after that 1t
passed away, and then | seemed TO get
new life. / walked over the big bridge
and took in the air from the river twice
"A week. At the end of ten days my APP
petite began TO increase. | ate more
! and let out another inch OF corset. After
that the pain in my right lung diSap-
peared and | didn't feel such rush OF
blood TO the head. The chest eXpan-
ion is 2st inches, an increase OF half an
inch.
The languid young woman made re-
port later in the day that she could
! hardly be called languid then, for she
was animation itself and declared her
intention OF continuing the treatment
indefinitely. The mother OF four boys
reported progress. She had, to tell the
truth. forgotten her instructions for
DAYS at time, because there was $50
much to do at home" The childleSS
wife was as lively as a sixteen-year-old
school girl, and her chest measurement
has increased from 81 TO 3ll9 inches I'M
inflated.
1--WE will form a society,"" said the
matron. and call it The Society for the
Expansion Of Lungs There will be nc
officers. no dues, and no meeting place,
but hope every woman in the city OF
New York will become member ana
strictly observe the rules"