Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1901-10-17
WORK OF THE LUNGS.
THE NECESSITY FOR PURE AIR AND
PROPER BREATHING.

Respiratory Gymnnstics Tend tn
Strengthen the Resisting Force of
Nature to Disease-The Lesson OF
the Black Hole of Calcutta.
To my mind the part of the physical
man upon which depends all the pos
sibilities OF mental resource is that
part which has relation to respiration
and which for its perfect work de-
ponds 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 lobes, the other on the
left only two. We must always bear
in mind that nature is generous in her
provisions, and she has given us so
much Of lung tissue that a large part
can be quickly exhausted and become
inactive, yet life endure for its legiti-
mate threescore years and ten and its
duties and activities continue unhin-
dered by any conscious lack. Under
the microscope the lung tissue shows
an infinite number Of tiny cells or ulti-
mate lobules. Some have estimated
these at five or six hundred million,
and, wonderful to relate, only with the
first breath that the infant draws are
both lungs ever filed with absolutely
new air. All through life there is nee
essarily what we call residual air,
which may be Of greater or less
amount, according to the breathing
habit of the individual. It is said that
the extent Of surface through which
the air breathed passes is approximate
ly about 1890 square feet, and the ex-
erection from the lungs daily is over
two pounds Of poisonous matter. In
fact, it is certain that at least one
third Of the waste and poisonous mat
ter caused by the activities of the
organism, its growth, repair. decay. Is
excreted through the lungs.
Unfortunately, great majority of
mankind breathe very specifically,
using only part of this large area of
lung tissue. Even If persons are out
of doors, unless by wise activity, the
deep cells of the lungs are not aerated
for the simple reason that very few
men or women know how to free the
lungs properly. Dettweiler states that
"deep breathing not only ventilates the
lungs and aids the circulation, but in
many cases is able to strengthen the
muscles of the thoraX. especially those
about the upper part of the chest" And
l believe that we have right to expect
from respiratory gymnastics a real
Strengthening of the resisting force of
nature to disease. Even if the lungs
have begun to break down. honest eff
fort in this direction will supplement
medication
One of the methods of correct breath
ing is 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 as possible. When
the lungs are filed, retain the air until
some discomfort is experienced, then,
forming the lips in the shape of letter
o, exhale as slowly and evenly as is
consistent with comfort. making a
slight blowing sound. Such an exer-
else for five minutes, clad only in one
garment or, better, with no garment at
all, night and morning, In we'll yenti-
lated room, will do very much in man,
woman or child to 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.
1t is no wonder that SO much care
has been given by nature to 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 brief
space of time!
For instance, In 1756, 146 persons
were confined over night in a small
space not larger than $500 cubic feet,
with only two little windows on one
side. Within an hour all broke out in
a profuse sweat. They were tortured
/ x,
in three and half hours the majority
We're delirious. Then when the morn
ing came forty-three only lived to tell
the tale Another extreme case was at
the battle Of Austerlitz. Three hun
dred captured soldiers were confined
in small cellar. and within a few
hours all but forty were dead. The
reason is self evident The air was in
sufficient for the demands of each in
dividual. the poisonous exhalations
from the body were thrown off through
the lungs. and most agonizing death
ensued. 1t behooves us. then. most
carefully to consider in arranging for
the ventilation of homes, hotels. hos
pitfalls and jails not only that proper
quantity of pure air shall be allowed
free circulation. but also to be watch
full lest this pure air shall be vitiated
by retained impurities.
A great many investigations have
been made to ascertain the relation of
air to disease, and perhaps the simple
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