The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-10-04
WORK OF THE LUNGS.
THE NECESSITY FOR PURE AIR AND
PROPER BREATHING.

Respiratory Gymnastics Tend 90
Strengthen the Resisting Force of
Nature Ia Discnsc-The Lesson of
the Black Hole of Calcutta.
To my mind the part Of the physical
man upon which depends all the pos
slbilities of mental resource is that
part which has relation to respiration
and which for It's perfect work de-
pcnds upon the quality Of the air we
breathe, the quantity respired and the
method thereof The apparatus for
respiration consists of the lungs, which
are double, the one on the right side
having three lobcs, the other on the
left only two. We must always bear
I'm mind that nature is generous In her
provisions, and she has given us so
much of lung tissue that n large part
can be quickly exhausted and become
inactive, yet life endure for its lcgti-
mate thrcescorc years ana ten and It's
duties and activities Continue unhln-
dcrcd by any conscious lack. Under
the microscope the lung tissue shows
an Infinite number of tiny cells or ultl-
mate lobulcs. Some have estimated
these Mt five or six hundred million.
and, wonderful to relate, only with the
first breath that the infant draws are
both lungs ever flied with absolutely
new air. All through life there Is nee
essarlly what we call n residual mir,
which may he Of n greater or less
amount, according TO the breathing
habit of the individual. 1t is said that
the extent of surface through which
the air brcathed passes Is approximate
ly about 1900 square feet, and the CX.
erection from IT, lungs daily is over
two pounds of poisonous matter In
fact, II Is Ger, in that NJ least one
third Of the waste and poisonous mat
ter caused 10y the activities Of the
organism, its growth, repair, decay, is
eXcrcted through the lungs.
Unfortunately. n great majority of
mankind breathe very supcrfcially,
using only part of this large area OF
lung tissue Even If persons are out
OF doors, unless 10y wise activity, the
deep cells of the lungs are not aeratcd
for the simple reason that very few
men or women know how 10 free the
lungs properly. Dettwcilcr states that
deep breathing not only ventilatcs the
lungs ana aids the circulation. but I'm
many cases Is able TO strengthen the
muscles of the thoraN. especially those
about the upper part of the chest" And
believe that we have right to expect
from respiratory gymnastics n real
strengthening of the resisting force OF
nature TO disease. Even II the lungs
have begun To break down. honest ef.
fort IN this direction will supplement
medication.
One OF the methods OF correct breath.
Ing II TO put the hands lightly ON the
hips, fingers backward: throw the
shoulders well back, hold the chest up.
chin In, and then inhale slowly through
the nose as long IA possible. when
the lungs are filled. retain the air until
some discomfort Is experienced. then.
forming the lips In the shape OF letter
O. cXhalc as slowly and evenly as is
consistent with comfort. making
slight blowing sound. Such an cNcr.
else for five minutes. clad only I'm one
garment or. better. with no garment M
all, night and morning. I'm well vcuti.
lated room, vell do very much I'm man.
woman or child 60 develop the lung ca.
pacity, Improve the carriage OF the
body and enrich the quality of the
blood. which depends upon the activity
Of the lungs for its publication.
IL Is no wonder that SO much care
has been given 10y nature 90 the appa.
ratus for the respiratory function. FOR
we know perfectly well that man has
lived as much as sixty days without
food. he has been forced To exist for
some time without water: but. alas.
without air death must come In q brief