The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-12-05
Do You Know How To Breathe
From Leslie's Weekly

-" w SAN" oSAt ooA ASSS --SA
mate friends-and they not always-dare
to tell us of our faults. How many times
have you had occasion to say to yourself,
"What pity Mrs. So-and- So had nobody
to tell her that she whistles most disagree
ably when she breathesr' r'-or, eff only
anybody dared to inform Mrs Tries-to-
Please that, if she would keep her hands
still, she would make an infinitely better
impressionr'
To one who has really made an effort to
learn how to use the breath, and who sees
how little this wonderful healer and resto-
rer is understood, it is incomprehensible that
many people should regard information on
the subject as almost impertinent. Every
body knows and will acknowledge that
breathing is a somewhat important part of
the human economy; but the implication
that he does not do it rightly is frequently
resented Not long ago in little gather.
ing of women who knew each other we'll
and exchanged condolences with each other
whenever they met, an interesting tale was
told concerning this matter of breathing
1t was SO Illuminating to all of those pres
ent that we pass it on for the benefit of
others. Then, if they can find sensible
hearers, who will not "get mad at the
implication that they, perhaps do not know
how to breathe, it can be disseminated still
more widely.
GA good many years ago, - began one
of the most vivacious of our number, "a
member of my family was i'll. The young
doctor who treated him said much to him
on the subject of breathing Il was once
in bad way, said the doctor, from in
cipient tuberculosis, but | was cured by
outdoor air in abundance, and plenty Of
deep breathing. was obliged to remain
in the city; but l kept myself outdoors at
least eight hours every day, and every
time [ crossed street | took in deep
breath through my nostrils, keeping my
mouth closed | held the breath until
reached the opposite curbstone when l ex
PEELED it slowly. | have been sound and
well now for many years-but | still keep
up my deep breathing and it is Of the great
est benefit to me.
"We were all so much impressed bA
what the doctor said that we resolved tc
breathe more deeply, but it is great both,
er to try to breathe right, and the matter
soon slipped from our minds, though ne
doubt we might have saved ourselves many
colds and other lung troubles if we hat
been willing to regard the doctors homi
lies.
cat least ten years later [ attended {
lecture by we'll known literary man, who
in the course of his talk, informed us tina
he had not had cold for twenty years
though he had once been great suffere
from colds. He had freed himself from
this scourge by breathing properly
thing which he ventured to say that not o
dozen among the many hundreds before
him knew how to do, or would be willing
to do if they knew how. He went on tt
say that, if they would each take fifty
deep breaths, exactly as the doctor had
described the process, they might be as
free as he himself had been from bronchi,
tbs, grippe, pneumonia and consumption.
'He dwelt on the subject with so much
earnestness, resolved to attend to my
breathing, for had had several annoying
colds during the preceding winter; but |
was greatly excited over family affairs dur
ing the next few months, and again | for
got all about my breathing
"Several months later l was present at
a brilliant dinner party. Among my fell
low guests were a distinguished general
and young and handsome prima donna
who was afflicted with dreadful cold. [
was amused to have the general lean over
toward us before long, and utter the fol-
lowing little sermon to the wheeling sin
ger: II can't cure your cold, he said,
but can keep you from having another
one-if you will only believe what | say,
and take the trouble to practice it. feel
pretty sure that you will not believe me,
and equally sure that you will not, unless
you make very special effort, remember
ing to act on my suggestions; but | admire
YOUR voice SO much and am anxious to pre-
serve it that I am going to be impudent
enough to give you some advice. If you
will only breathe properly you need never
have another cold
"The prima donna laughed incredulous-
ly, but politely asked him how she should
breathe.
Just draw in good full breath pref
ty often, he said, 'and hold it until every
tiny branchlet of your lungs is expanded,
and then breathe it slowly out again. You
see, half the little air vessels in your lungs
are never used. Many of them become
weakened, or charged with bad air and it
is no wonder that we have all sorts of dis
eases in consequence. Every single one
of them was made to be used, and if they
do not get their share of air they are bound
to stir up trouble. Now used to have
terrible colds, but I have not had one for
fourteen years, and I confidently expect
never to have another.
&C sHovu oftap shall 7 draw in these won